Increasing the private Alaskan ownership of land is a priority of Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who introduced Senate Bill 105 (SB 105), allowing eligible residents to more easily purchase or lease state land for recreational cabin use.
The bill will be the subject of a hearing in Senate Resources on Monday, March 17 at 3:30 pm, with both invited and public testimony. Legislative hearings in this committee have been scheduled and canceled twice so far.
SB 105 refines the existing remote cabin sites program by updating eligibility requirements and establishing clear processes for nominating and staking cabin sites. Under the proposed legislation, eligible applicants may nominate up to 10 acres of available state land for a cabin site if the land is not already included in the state’s schedule of land offerings.
To complete a purchase, applicants must conduct a survey and appraisal of the selected site and pay its fair market value. This ensures land sales are fair, while allowing Alaskans to directly engage in the selection process of their recreational sites.
“Alaskans currently own about one percent of state land, and after 60 years of statehood, we need to change that,” said Dunleavy. The bill promotes settlement, fostering economic growth, and reflects the principle that private land ownership is fundamental to personal freedom and prosperity.
Gov. Dunleavy’s bill aligns with his broader vision of empowering Alaskans to have greater access to the state’s natural resources. If passed, the bill may streamline the process for obtaining remote cabin sites and make land acquisition more accessible to residents across the state.
Get rid of all DEI courses including Native Studies at UAF, all they do is radicalize young kids…
New road for Alaska would be a dream come true. But not for those that like and can afford Alaska being their private humongous park.
Imagine driving from Anchorage to Dillingham. How much pressure would be relieved from the combat fishing at the Russian River and the likes on the peninsula.
You wouldn’t have to be on a five-year, waiting list for a campground spot.
Great idea Governor!
No single race should have the right over other races! There shall be no other government inside our government.
Is it only for recreational? Or can someone stake a lot and then put in a commercial operation?
Peggy, to the best of my knowledge, once you get the patent to the land, you can use it for a permanent residence, or whatever local zoning allows. The problem is access to the property. Alaska DNR loves to sell land without physical or legal access. They want you to apply for a driveway easement from DNR and a driveway permit from DOT, if access from a road is even possible. Some sites are truly remote, and require access via plane, four wheeler, or snow machine. From one person who has lived on one of these properties for over 30 years, 80 percent of the people who purchase one of these properties near a road eventually give up and the state takes back the property, they bought it with 5 percent down and up to 20 years mortgage with zero equity accruing during the 20 years. The number one reason they give up is the difficulty they experience getting the driveway easement and permit. The survey required for the permits can be in the tens of thousands of dollars. One last thing, this is just a publicity stunt by Dunleavy, as Alaska residents may currently nominate 5-20 acre tracts for this program.
This right here is 100% spot on.
Getting the roughly 30,000,000 acres that the federal government still has yet to transfer to the state of Alaska would be a good start to move some of these lands into the hands of Alaskans. This is a step in the right direction and if approved I know of some land that I would be happy to nominate and apply for.
Dunleavy actually had a good idea a couple years ago when he proposed that Alaskans be allowed the equivalent of the statutory PFD towards purchase of state land. Then, one legislator voiced a mild opposition to the idea, and Dunleavy folded like a wet paper bag, the coward.
Big Mike,
How about a “Dacha” bill which would create Agricultural home sites? I envision this to be similar to what the Old Soviet Union had going on outside of Moscow. What about Pt. Mackenzie? This would enable people in the most populated part of Alaska to have summer/ dry cabin/ garden sites. I’m thinking one acre parcels or a bit more?
Nothing quells food insecurity better than a big sack of potatoes and carrots.
Think of it as killing 2 birds with one stone, folks would have their getaway cabins, and the State could actually realize a profit on something that would benefit people.
Contact me if you need help!
Not much state land left in Point Mack.
It would not benefit the general public because it would decimate the wild, like all the people encroaching on habitat, yes Alaska is a big state but do you really got to have it for greed? My kids kids would like to have something left I’m sure. You greedy fucks
Larry, or should I address you as ” Greedy Fuck”?
I agree, Alaska is a big place. I’ve been here since before Statehood. It has been my privilege to have worked, hunted, garden, hiked, trapped and fished in Alaska’s far flung corners, and yet I’ve only experienced a tiny bit of Alaska’s vastness. There is and will always be habitat for the critters within Alaska, let us also provide for the people too, if just a small portion.
Greedy is to deny others the same opportunity.
Spoken like a true NIMBY and the “I got mine and you ain’t ever gett’n yours” long time cabin owner.
The Federal Government got this land with Taxpayer money. The State got their money from the Federal Government who got the money from the Taxpayers. Who really owns this State?
Well the State gave away prime land up and down the Parks hwy to various native corps and owners pay no tax. That last part should be across the board, property tax is extortion and should be abolished. Treat all residents equal. Before we give land or sell at reduced cost to residents for recreational, how about farming and food lands to those able to sustain it? Get government out of the management of it, just make it easy to produce. No grants, no special councils or committees, just land and no taxes. Offer up land just like drilling permits but make it free. You must show capability and then proof of production. Pretty dang simple. But since before statehood our government has been unable to make this work. Only because they want to over regulate it and get money from it. Just get out of the way, we the people can do it.
Greedy?Alaska is huge. Get your kids out of the cities and teach them something that will save their intelligence. Teach them to build, garden, respect private ownership. The best cure for entitlement are parents who expect their kids to learn something.
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