Borough releases draft Natural Resource Management Plan

After three years of work, the Mat Su Borough has released a draft of the Natural Resource Management Units Plan.

The plan had its beginning as the forest management unit plan. Several years ago, it was realized that Borough land also included wetlands, public recreation land and other types of property and the Borough undertook reconstructing the forestry document to include management of all property classifications from fishing areas to wetlands to forestry areas.

The document is an unwieldy binder hundreds of pages long.  Debby Broneske, planner with the Borough, says that they are encouraging people to get the document on the website.  Copies of the plan are at libraries and a copy was also sent to all community councils in the planning area…including Chase, Talkeetna, Trapper Creek and Susitna Councils.  The Borough’s I-T department is ready to help residents who have problems opening the document on the website.

Because of the size of the document, the Borough is giving residents a total of 3 months to comment on the plan.

The plan has to go before the Real Property Asset Management board and the Planning Commission before finally being approved by the Assembly.  Broneske estimates that the plan might be approved by the Assembly some time in July if all the pieces fall in place.

The Borough is planning public meetings in February.  Broneske said the dates are confirmed but she is just waiting for confirmation from the school district as to exact locations.

Public comments on the document are due March 15.