Alaska Senators Issue Subpoena to DNR Commissioner Amid Land Transfer Dispute

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – In a significant move during their meeting on Wednesday, state senators voted to subpoena the commissioner of Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources, John Crowther. This decision comes after ongoing disputes surrounding a proposed transfer of nearly 20,000 acres of state land to the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) at no cost. The land, situated north of Houston, is intended for a multi-use industrial and energy development district.

Concerns about the transfer have been raised by members of the Senate Resources Committee, including Senator Cathy Giessel, who noted that the state would potentially miss out on substantial revenue. She highlighted that the University of Alaska charges substantial fees to lease a smaller parcel of land, indicating the proposed land’s estimated value could reach $14 million annually if leased appropriately. Senator Bill Wielechowski articulated frustrations over the failure to comply with public records requests, leading to the vote for a subpoena, which passed with five votes in favor. The next committee meeting is slated for October 26 at 10 a.m.