Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Dunleavy introduces recreational land sales bill

Eligible Alaskans may be able to nominate up to 10 acres of state-owned land for sale or lease as a remote recreational site.

Eligible Alaskans may be able to nominate up to 10 acres of state-owned land for sale or lease as a remote recreational site under legislation introduced by Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Wednesday.

In a letter to Alaska House Speaker Louise Stutes sent on April 27, Dunleavy said the legislation is meant to encourage the settlement and development of state land by Alaskans, noting that 3% of Alaska is privately owned. The program would supplement the state’s existing land sales programs. The state currently makes land available through auctions, over-the-counter sales, subdivision sales and agricultural sales.

The legislation was introduced to the Alaska House of Representatives as H.B. 195 and to the Alaska Senate as S.B. 133.

According to the legislation’s fiscal note, which describes how much it would cost to implement, the creation of the program would cost the state about $600,000 in operating expenses each year. If the state sells 500 acres of land annually at an average sale price of between $1,500 and $5,000 per acre, the Division of Mining, Land and Water would take in between $750,000 and $2.5 million in sales each year.

“Assuming increased participation and potential for nominated lands to have increased value per acre with an increased success to sale rate, revenue could be increased,” the fiscal note analysis says. “This revenue is land value that could be received incrementally over time through sale contracts or through a lump sum payment.”

The range in cost reflects the diversity of land segments that may be eligible for purchase under the program. Cost per acre may depend on factors like where the land is located, amenities, access and water-frontage.

To be eligible under the program, the land must be vacant, unappropriated or unreserved and owned by the state.

Anticipating a “high interest” in the program, the fiscal note also describes five permanent full-time positions that will be needed to implement it, including a land surveyor, an appraiser, a natural resource manager and two natural resource specialists.

The legislation had already been referred to the House Resources Committee and to the Senate Resources Committee by Wednesday evening.

More information about the legislation can be found on the legislature’s website at akleg.gov.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Dunleavy orders freeze on state employee hiring, travel and new regulations due to fiscal crunch

Exemptions allowed for certain occupations and “mission-critical” purposes.

Students stock rainbow trout into Johnson Lake during Salmon Celebration, hosted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game near Kasilof, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Celebrating the cycle of life

The annual Kenai Peninsula Salmon Celebration caps off the Salmon in the Classroom program.

State of Alaska Department of Law logo. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Law
Homer woman sentenced for 2020 murder

Sarah Dayan was convicted in December for the murder of Keith Huss.

Borough Mayor Peter Micciche speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough mayor proposes mill rate decrease in $180M draft budget

The budget also follows his “balanced budget philosophy” of spending increases at or below around 2.5% year-over-year.

Kenaitze Indian Tribe chemical dependency councilor Jamie Ball performs during a candlelight vigil marking National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls at the Raven Plaza, Ggugguyni T’uh, in front of the Dena’ina Wellness Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Vigil recognizes missing and murdered Indigenous women on national awareness day

Alaska Native women are overrepresented in the populations of domestic violence and rape victims in the state.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Dunleavy threatens unprecedented veto of education funds in budget unless his policy goals are met

Line-item veto could leave districts with less money for months; legality of such action is questioned

A scene from the PBS children’s series “Molly of Denali.” (WGBH Educational Foundation photo)
‘Molly of Denali’ and other PBS children’s programs on hold as Trump cancels funds

Emmy-winning Juneau writer of “Molly” says PBS told creators the series isn’t being renewed.

A few clouds disrupt the sunlight in downtown Juneau on an otherwise bright day. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Alaska ranks 49th, ahead of only Louisiana, in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best States survey

State drops from 45th a year ago, led by large drops in opportunity and fiscal stability.

Most Read