Mat-Su Assembly sets special meeting on waterbody setbacks

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly meets Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 4 pm in Palmer to discuss waterbody setbacks, the rules governing how close development may sit to lakes, rivers and streams. The special meeting's only agenda item is that discussion. No ordinance or vote is scheduled.

Borough code bars structures within 75 feet of a waterbody's ordinary high water mark, with some exceptions. Subsurface sewage disposal systems must stay 100 feet back. The Waterbody Setback Advisory Board, in a November 2024 handout, recommended keeping the 75-foot line, extending it to commercial and industrial projects and requiring permits for ground-disturbing work within 75 feet.

Assembly Member Stephanie Nowers pushed for an October date so the meeting would not conflict with fishing and hunting season.

Members of the public will get three minutes each to testify at the meeting in Palmer or by phone during the audience participation portion. Written comments may also be submitted to the Assembly ahead of time.