Land ownership in Alaska is more complex than in most other states. Unlike many places where land is primarily privately owned, Alaska’s lands are managed by a mix of federal agencies, the State of Alaska, Alaska Native corporations, and private landowners. Each system operates under different laws, policies, and decision-making processes.
Understanding who owns and manages land helps explain where decisions are made—and how the public can participate in shaping those decisions.
Federal Lands
The federal government manages the largest share of land in Alaska. Federal agencies oversee national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests, and large areas of public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Some of the key federal land managers include:
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – manages large areas of public lands, including areas used for recreation, conservation, and resource development.
https://www.blm.gov/alaska - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) – manages national wildlife refuges and critical wildlife habitat.
https://www.fws.gov/alaska - National Park Service (NPS) – manages national parks, preserves, and monuments across Alaska.
https://www.nps.gov/state/ak/index.htm
Federal lands in Alaska are often managed under laws such as the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), which includes provisions related to conservation, subsistence uses, and land management across the state.
Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/alaska/anilca.htm
Decisions about federal lands—such as oil and gas leasing, mining proposals, wildlife management policies, or land use plans—often involve federal review processes and opportunities for public comment.
State of Alaska Lands
The State of Alaska also manages millions of acres of land. These lands are primarily overseen by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
DNR manages land for a range of uses including:
- natural resource development
- recreation and public access
- infrastructure and transportation
- land sales and leases
Learn more:
https://dnr.alaska.gov
State land decisions often include opportunities for public input through:
- public notices
- public meetings
- written comment periods
For example, current decisions about land use along the Dalton Highway Corridor involve state planning processes related to lands that may transfer from federal to state management.
https://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/dhcpa/
Alaska Native Corporation Lands
Another important part of Alaska’s land system comes from the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), passed in 1971. Under ANCSA, Alaska Native regional and village corporations received title to millions of acres of land.
These lands are owned and managed by the corporations for the benefit of their shareholders.
Learn more about ANCSA:
https://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/lands_realty/ancestral_lands/ancsa.html
Because these lands are privately owned, decision-making processes may differ from federal or state public land processes.
Why Land Ownership Matters
Who owns the land determines:
- which laws apply
- which agency makes decisions
- how the public can participate
For example:
- A proposed oil lease on federal land may involve federal environmental review and public comment through agencies like BLM.
- A proposed project on state land may involve decisions by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources.
- Decisions on corporation lands may follow different processes.
These overlapping systems are one reason land management in Alaska can be complex.
How the Public Can Stay Informed and Participate
Many land management decisions include opportunities for the public to participate by submitting comments, attending meetings, or sharing local knowledge about wildlife, subsistence uses, and community concerns.
One of the best ways to stay informed is by signing up for official notice systems.
State of Alaska Public Notices
The State of Alaska publishes official notices about land decisions, permits, and public meetings through the Alaska Online Public Notice System.
You can search current notices and sign up for updates here:
https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/
This system allows residents to follow decisions related to:
- land management
- resource development
- public meetings and comment periods
Federal Rulemaking and Policy Notices
For federal decisions, many proposals and rulemakings are published in the Federal Register.
You can browse and subscribe to updates here:
https://www.federalregister.gov
You can also sign up for notifications about federal rules and comment opportunities:
https://www.federalregister.gov/reader-aids/email-subscriptions
These notices may include opportunities to comment on:
- federal land management decisions
- environmental regulations
- wildlife policies
Understanding how land ownership works in Alaska helps clarify where and how decisions are made—and why public participation matters. Many of the issues the Northern Alaska Environmental Center is currently working on, from proposed changes to lands along the Dalton Highway Corridor to federal oil and gas leasing decisions in the Western Arctic, involve both state and federal processes. By staying informed and participating in these decision-making processes, Alaskans can help ensure that wildlife habitat, subsistence resources, and community perspectives are considered as decisions about Northern Alaska’s lands and waters move forward.