The Alaska DNR is requesting public comments on its mining regulations for establishing and maintaining mining claims – 11 AAC Chapter 86. These regulations (as well as related regulations at 11 AAC 82 and 11 AAC 88) establish or address many of the requirements for locating claims on state lands, performing assessment work, paying rent, filing production royalty returns, and paying production royalties to DNR. DNR’s authority regarding at-risk state claims and offshore mining rights also comes under these regulations. DNR has not proposed draft regulations but is asking the public to provide comments on issues that should be addressed in any revised regulations. Please consider submitting a proposed revision in redline or drafting a proposed new regulation, accompanied by an explanation of the issue the proposal is meant to address.
Comments can be submitted by email or mail through April 29, 2016. For more information from DNR, visit the DNR Notice of Public Scoping. This is a unique opportunity to help shape DNR’s mining regulations. If you have any questions or would like assistance in preparing comments, please contact Veronica Keithley, Ramona Monroe, or Joe Perkins in Stoel’s Anchorage office.