Tribes push for more time, signatory status on West Susitna road plan

Multiple Alaska Native tribes requested invited signatory status on the West Susitna Access Road programmatic agreement during a March 27 review meeting, citing concerns about consultation processes and unaddressed cultural resource issues during the 45-day tribal review period ending April 20.

Chickaloon Village Traditional Council formally requested invited signatory status on the agreement, joining other tribes who have made similar requests throughout the consultation process. A Chickaloon representative stated the tribe's interest in the project and its cultural resources is not exclusive to K'nik Tribe, an invited signatory. The representative noted the request has been made at numerous previous meetings and is in the record.

Stephanie Thompson, representing Alexander Creek Incorporated, stated many tribes did not receive meeting invitations and that technical reports have not addressed tribal concerns submitted to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. Thompson explained she called other tribes after learning about the meeting and found most had not been notified, despite consistent participation throughout the year-long consultation process. She added the meeting was scheduled during spring break, when several key tribal representatives were traveling.

Background

The West Susitna Access Project is a proposed 78.5-mile road in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough that would provide year-round public access to currently remote state public lands and private lands, and is intended to support resource development including designated critical mineral areas. DOT and PF announced in July 2023 its intent to develop a public road and associated facilities in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley to improve access west of the Little Susitna and Susitna Rivers. Chickaloon Village Traditional Council is a federally recognized Ahtna Dene Tribe and tribal government in Southcentral Alaska, which has engaged with state agencies on transportation planning and cultural-resource protection related to regional projects like West Susitna. Alaska News previously covered House Finance cutting West Susitna road funding from the capital budget and divided testimony on a $95M allocation.

Thompson stated the department saw a letter written to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation that everything was addressed, but concerns remain unaddressed and the project continues to move forward without sitting down with tribes. She emphasized the ongoing concern is that DOT is not adhering to the Section 106 process.

K'nik Tribe CEO Richard Porter explained the tribe is proposing new consultation frameworks distinguishing between tribal leader meetings and technical staff meetings. A K'nik Tribe representative stated the tribe's council approved the consultation and engagement procedure on March 13, 2026, and is working with state legal and Federal Highway Administration legal to develop the framework. Porter described the goal as ensuring the right people attend the right meetings, comparing it to having clear rules for a knife fight versus a gunfight.