State forestry agency holds McGrath Airport's two largest parcels, comment deadline July 27

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is proposing five-year extensions on two existing land leases at McGrath Airport. The public has until 4:30 p.m. on July 27 to submit comments before the state decides whether to approve them.

The Alaska Division of Forestry holds both parcels, which are designated for aeronautical use only and support the agency's wildfire suppression operations. Parcel A-1 covers 310,141.55 square feet and supports heliport operations, aircraft parking, fire warehousing, crew training, and communications. Parcel D is authorized for fire retardant bomber loading, aircraft fuel storage, and aircraft refueling. Both extensions are being processed under AS 02.15.090(c), which allows the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to grant the term without competitive bidding.

The proposed extensions are intended to continue existing aeronautical operations on each parcel. Annual rent is $34,100.83 for Parcel A-1 and $23,727.20 for Parcel D. The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 235 rural airports and manages roughly 1,500 active land use agreements statewide.

Written comments must reach Thomas Hildreth, Aviation Leasing, Central Region, at P.O. Box 196900, Anchorage, Alaska 99519-6900, by 4:30 p.m. on July 27. The department will notify only those who submit written comments of its final decision.