Mat-Su Borough seeks 632 acres near Palmer in dual land deal

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough is pursuing both a permanent land conveyance and a separate lease for state property three miles east of Palmer, with the 12-acre lease located inside the larger 632-acre parcel. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources is accepting public comment on both applications through 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

The borough applied for a public and charitable conveyance of 631.72 acres in Section 31, Township 18 North, Range 3 East, Seward Meridian. The borough also applied for a 12-acre lease within that same parcel. The lease would allow the borough to develop a portion of the land before any ownership transfer occurs.

The borough plans to develop a new trailhead with expanded parking and potential amenities on the property, which includes McRoberts Creek and the existing Matanuska Peak Trail. DNR also issued Draft Mineral Order No. 1336 to close the parcel to new mineral entry, finding that mining activity would be incompatible with the current and proposed land use.

The state holds fee title to the land under a 1986 federal patent and will retain ownership of all minerals, oil, gas, and geothermal resources. McRoberts Creek, which crosses the parcel, will carry a 50-foot public access reservation along its banks. The state will also keep a reversionary interest in the conveyance, meaning the land could revert to state ownership if the borough fails to use it for public purposes.

Only people who submit written comments by the June 10 deadline will be eligible to request reconsideration of the final decision. Comments should be sent to John King at the Department of Natural Resources by mail at P.O. Box 111020, Juneau, AK 99811, by fax at 907-269-8916, or by email at [email protected]. Questions can be directed to King at 907-465-3513.

Preliminary decisions and related documents are available at dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/landsales or aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices. People needing special assistance must contact the Public Information Center in Anchorage at 907-269-8400 by 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2026.