Nenana River erosion threatens Alaska Railroad mainline; DNR proposes 6-acre land sale near Healy

The Nenana River is eroding the riverbank along the Alaska Railroad's mainline right-of-way about 20 miles north of Healy, and the state is moving to give the railroad room to shift its tracks away from the water. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources has filed a preliminary decision to sell the Alaska Railroad Corporation 6.31 acres of state land to enable a mainline realignment that addresses the ongoing erosion.

The proposed noncompetitive sale covers two parcels in the Denali Borough, east of the Nenana River near mileposts 379.6 to 379.8. DNR found that conveying the land at appraised fair market value is in the public interest and the best interests of the state. The railroad's mainline runs between Seward and Fairbanks.

The Alaska Railroad Corporation requested the land through Resolution No. 2026-08, which DNR's Land Conveyance Section received from the ARRC board on June 10, 2026. The request is based on the railroad's MP 379.6 to 379.8 Realignment Plan dated April 27, 2026. DNR distributed the application to state agencies for review from April 21 to May 21, 2026.

The sale would transfer both the surface and mineral estate to the railroad, with the railroad bearing the cost of the required survey and appraisal. The parcels are closed to mineral entry under Mineral Closing Order 232. DNR noted that the Bureau of Land Management has determined the Nenana River navigable, but said no public access easement is required because the railroad is not seeking land to the river's edge.

Comment Deadline

Only those who submit timely written comments are eligible to appeal the final decision. The deadline is 4:30 p.m. on August 14, 2026. Comments may be sent to DNR contact John King by mail to P.O. Box 111020, Juneau, AK 99811, by fax to 907-269-8916, or by email to [email protected]. Requests for special accommodations must be made by 4:00 p.m. on August 7, 2026.

If no significant changes result from the comment period, DNR will issue the preliminary decision as its final finding and decision without further public notice.