DNR proposes noncompetitive sale of 31 acres southeast of Ester

Nearly 31 acres of state land about seven miles southeast of Ester could leave state ownership without going to auction. The public has about five weeks to submit written comments.

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water, issued the public notice Wednesday. The parcel sits in the Fairbanks North Star Borough and totals 30.92 acres, described in the notice as "Lot 5, Section 6, Township 2 South, Range 2 West, Fairbanks Meridian." The proposal is filed under case file number ADL 422800.

"Pursuant to AS 38.05.945 Notice, the public is invited to submit comments on the Preliminary Decision," the notice said. Comments are due by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026.

The notice and the preliminary decision are available through DNR's land sales page or the state's Online Public Notices system. Comments go to Andrew Miller of DNR's Anchorage office by mail, fax, or email at [email protected].

What the Law Allows

The sale is proposed under AS 38.05.810, the statute covering public and charitable use disposals of state land. Because the sale is noncompetitive, the parcel would be conveyed without competing bidders.

The notice identifies the buyer only as a "Public and Charitable Use Applicant." It names no organization.

The proposal is one piece of Alaska's broader system of state land disposals, which includes auctions, over-the-counter offerings, and special public and charitable sales under AS 38.05.