DNR starts public process for Susitna Area Plan

The Department of Natural Resources is revising land plans dealing with the Susitna Valley. Both the Susitna Area Plan and Susitna Forestry Guidelines are being examined.

DNR is conducting public meetings as the first step in understanding how the lands are used and how the public would like to see them used in the future.

The 1985 Susitna Area Plan that has guided land use within the Mat Su Borough is outdated.  The area in question is the highway corridor from the Talkeetna Spur Road and Parks Highway Junction to the Borough boundary south of Cantwell.  The land includes the Railroad corridor north of Talkeetna. Lands excluded from the plan are the Hatcher Pass Area, and the Southeast Susitna Area Plan, which was revised last year as well as the Knik River Public Use Area.

The state is asking for input on increased firewood demand and growing interest in biomass energy from state lands as part of the land use plan revision.

Concurrently, the Mat Su Borough is going through a similar process developing their Natural Resource Management Unit Plan. It includes policies and guidelines for tourism, wildlife, wetlands, public recreation and forest resources.

There will be several open houses in various locations for residents to attend. Both Borough and state officials will be present to answer questions.  One public meeting will be held at Talkeetna Elementary School on April 22^nd form 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and another one in Trapper Creek on Thursday April 23^rd from 5 to 9 at the Trapper Creek Elementary School.