Public Invited to Weigh in on Forestry Plan

A plan that’s been in place since 1991 is the current guidance for forest management on state-owned lands in the Susitna Valley. But that plan is due for an update. In a previous interview, Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection Forest Planner Geneva Preston says the group is currently in the middle of the scoping process for that updated plan. And that includes a lot of public input.

According to a new press release, the Division is soliciting input from interested parties, including the public. Comments were accepted at a virtual meeting last month. And now, an in-person meeting is scheduled for Upper Susitna Valley residents this month.

With spruce bark beetle changing the make-up of the forest, as well as the increase in population, the Division is looking for community members to help provide context for ways the land is currently being used or could be used in the future. 

The scoping sessions are ways for the public to provide their input as the Division develops a revised Forestry Plan for the Susitna Valley. At this time there is no draft Forest Management Plan for review or comment. The next public in-person scoping session will be on Tuesday, November 18, 6:30-8pm at the Upper Susitna Community and Senior Center. Comments may also be emailed to dnr.dof.matsuplanning@alaska.gov.