On January 6, 2026, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP) will meet in person at the Kenai Peninsula College to discuss the potential establishment of a new state forest on the Kenai Peninsula.
Currently, Alaska maintains 3 state forests: Haines State Forest (286,000 acres), Southeast State Forest (46,592 acres), and Tanana Valley State Forest (1.8 million acres). On May 2, 2025, Governor Dunleavy referred House Bill 218 and Senate Bill 188 to the Legislature. These bills propose the expansion of the Tanana Valley State Forest by 600,000 acres. The bills remain pending in committee.
Alongside the pending legislation to expand the Tanana Valley State Forest, DNR and DFFP also express interest in creating the Kenai Peninsula State Forest with the primary goals of “timber production, regeneration, and active management… while maintaining opportunities for recreation, hunting, fishing, and other public uses.”
As of now, there is no active proposal to create the new state forest in Kenai, but if the community shows active interest and support of the project, DFFP may develop a proposal to the State Legislature. The public may attend the Jan 6 meeting, 6-7pm, in Homer at the Kenai Peninsula College, Kachemak Bay Campus. The public may also submit written comments via email to [email protected] or via mail. If you wish to mail a public comment, please send to this address:
Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection
ATTN: Special Projects Coordinator
550 W. 7th Ave. Ste. 1450
Anchorage, AK 99501
Written comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m., Friday, January 16, 2026.