The Alaska Department of Natural Resources is accepting public comments through May 18, 2026, on a proposed 10-year lease for a commercial oyster farm in Klawock Inlet.

Southeast Alaska Oyster Farm, LLC, wants to lease 3 acres of state-owned tide and submerged lands to grow and harvest Pacific oysters. The farm would be located about 3 miles north of Klawock on Prince of Wales Island.

The company plans to cultivate Pacific oysters for commercial harvest on the underwater lease area. If approved, the lease would run for 10 years and allow the business to use state waters for aquaculture operations.

The proposed site sits in the northeast section of Township 72 South, Range 80 East, according to state land records. The department made a preliminary decision to offer the lease and is now gathering public input before making a final determination.

Written comments must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on May 18, 2026, to be considered. Send comments by email to [email protected] or mail them to Jen Kopnicky at the Division of Mining, Land & Water, 550 W. 7th Ave., Suite 900C, Anchorage, AK 99501-3577.

People who want to appeal the department's final decision must submit written comments during this public comment period. Contact Kopnicky at (907) 269-8618 with questions about the proposed lease.