State reviews 10-year lease for private airstrip near Skwentna lodge

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources is accepting public comments through June 10 on a proposed 10-year lease that would allow JWA Investments, LLC, doing business as Tal Adventures Lodge, to build and maintain a private airstrip and adjacent private road on two acres of state land near Skwentna.

The airstrip would be located about 10 miles southwest of Skwentna near the mouth of the Talachulitna River. The lease would support the lodge's recreation and guiding business. The airstrip would be available to the public in emergencies.

The proposal falls under the Susitna Basin Recreational Rivers Management Plan, which generally discourages private airstrip development but allows case-by-case exceptions. The site is in Management Unit 5, Sub-Unit 5a of the plan area.

This is one of several recent Skwentna land-use actions involving the same lodge. Alaska News previously reported that the state is also reviewing a separate lease expansion for the lodge and considering a land permit at Skwentna Airport itself. Earlier airport lease proposals in the area include ADA-09623 in October 2025 for hangar operations at $1,550 annual rent and ADA-08911 in May 2024 for a non-competitive lease at $615 annual rent. The Skwentna area serves as an aviation hub for backcountry recreation, and state planning documents have identified the need to address congestion at existing facilities.

The proposed airstrip would consist of two parcels: one measuring 600 feet by 75 feet and another 400 feet by 75 feet. No structures would be built on state land.

The annual lease fee would be $1,170. The state requires a $2,000 performance guarantee. Anyone who wants to appeal the final decision must submit written comments during this comment period.

Comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. on June 10, 2026. Send written comments to the Southcentral Regional Land Office at 550 West Seventh Avenue, Suite 900C, Anchorage, Alaska 99501-3577, or email [email protected]. Questions can be directed to Ben Powell at 907-269-8549. The preliminary decision is available at aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices.