The Alaska Department of Natural Resources is accepting public comments through May 11 on a placer mining application for suction dredging on Mosquito Fork of the Fourtymile River near Chicken.

Jeremy and Melissa Ford applied to operate a suction dredge on state land in Section 27, Township 27 North, Range 17 East. The permit would run through December 31, 2035, and could be extended. The application also covers cross-country travel on state lands outside the mining claims.

The Fourtymile Mining District lies in eastern Interior Alaska, roughly 80 miles southwest of the Canadian border. Mosquito Fork flows into the Fourtymile River, which drains into the Yukon River.

The state is reviewing the application under regulations that govern mechanical placer mining operations and reclamation on state lands. Other state or federal permits may be required separately.

Written comments must reach the Division of Mining, Land and Water by 5:00 p.m. Alaska time on May 11. Send comments to the Fairbanks Mine Permitting Office at 3700 Airport Way, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709, or email [email protected].

Michelle Corrigan at the permitting office can answer questions at 907-451-2743. The full application is available for review at the Fairbanks office.

The state will review all comments before deciding whether to approve the plan, possibly with conditions.