Alaska Department of Natural Resources · Photo source · US government work
John Crowther
Commissioner · Alaska Department of Natural Resources
24 articles · 3 transcripts · 13 clips
Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, where he oversees more than 1,000 full-time and seasonal employees.
Affiliations
State approves giving AIDEA 6,800 acres near Houston, a third of what it first proposed
The state approved giving AIDEA 6,800 acres near Houston free, a third of what it first proposed, and added a clause returning undeveloped land to the state.
Alaska LNG's first construction work moves to 2027 after a planned April start passes
Alaska LNG told regulators in February that gravel and camp work would start April 15. By October it was still planning and surveying. Now it's 2027.
New Copper River Basin plan could put more state land up for sale
Alaska's new Copper River Basin land plan makes 200,000 more acres eligible for private ownership and closes 306,000 acres to new mining claims.
Housing agency has no set plans for proposed state land transfers, CEO tells senators
AHFC has no firm plans yet for over 400 acres of free state land DNR proposes giving it for housing. Legislature's lawyers say such giveaways are likely unconstitutional.
DNR commissioner says governor's office worked 'very closely' on land transfers to AIDEA
“We trust these documents are responsive to your request and are appropriate for your oversight.”
State proposes full leases for Alaska LNG pipeline route, replacing conditional leases
The state proposed Friday to give Alaska LNG full leases for its 807-mile pipeline route. Closed financing, final contracts and a tax deal are still pending.
Senate committee votes to subpoena DNR commissioner over AIDEA land transfers
One invitation declined, another still pending. Senate Resources voted to subpoena DNR Commissioner John Crowther for Oct. 26 over free land transfers to AIDEA.
State proposes five snowmachine trails near Wiseman after Dalton corridor transfer
“The Department will eagerly steward these critical lands on behalf of Alaskans while working to ensure they continue to have access to nearby federal lands.”
Giessel says governor kept DNR commissioner from legislative hearing on AIDEA land transfers
Governor blocked the DNR commissioner from testifying at a legislative hearing on state land transfers to AIDEA, leaving lawmakers without answers on nearly 20,000 acres north of Houston.
Alaska DNR tightens rules for stream water reservations
Alaska's new water reservation rules require five years of data first, and tribes and nonprofits won't hold their own certificates anymore. DNR will.
Alaska LNG lease filing lists state gasline corporation as 25 percent owner
8 Star Alaska filed financial documents to convert pipeline leases, with the state holding 25 percent through its gasline corporation and private developer Glenfarne holding 75 percent.
Alaska LNG asks DNR to convert conditional pipeline leases to full leases
Alaska LNG asked the state to convert two conditional pipeline leases into full leases, citing over $50 billion in project financing and support agreements from major energy companies.
Conservation groups appeal state's Ambler road easement in Anchorage Superior Court
Seven conservation groups asked a judge to overturn DNR's easement for the Ambler road. Both sides cite the state Supreme Court's Donlin ruling.
DNR gives records denial power to two job titles, no named employees
“I, John Crowther, Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), delegate my authority under 2 AAC 96.335(b) to deny a request for public records made to DNR under the Alaska Public Records Act, AS 40.25.100 - AS 40.25.295, to the employees in the following positions, including any employees acting in the positions:”
Alyeska wants the pipeline on state land until 2064
Alyeska asked the state to renew the pipeline lease through 2064, eight years early. Its own letter argues the commissioner is required to approve it.
Alaska extends fire season to Sept. 14 in Delta, Tok and Copper River areas
Burn permits will stay required two extra weeks, through Sept. 14, in the Delta, Tok and Copper River areas, after a dry summer left fuels parched at depth.
Enstar tells legislators it's 18 days short of gas for winter
Enstar told legislators it's 18 days, about 3 Bcf, short of gas for a normal winter after two supplies fell through, with deals underway still leaving a gap.
Three Cook Inlet gas storage plans pending for winter demand
Cook Inlet's gas problem isn't only supply, it's winter. Alaska is weighing three plans to bank gas underground and draw it down in the cold months.
Alaska tells BlueCrest to produce Cook Inlet gas by 2027 or give up the lease
Alaska ordered BlueCrest Energy to begin producing gas from its Cook Inlet lease by March 2027 or forfeit it, as the region's gas supply shrinks and the company has sat idle for years.
Alaska says some permits now clear in under a week — as the reforms behind that speed draw both praise and alarm
“We have some of our cycle times literally down to less than a week. We have some of them down to, you know, 32 days, and 30 of that is a public notice period.”
Army moves to end state review of ground work at two Alaska posts
The Army wants to end the state's sign-off on ground-disturbing work at Fort Wainwright and Fort Greely. The consultation window closed Aug. 21.
Alaska seeks federal approval to regulate carbon storage wells
“Carbon capture, sequestration, and storage in Alaska in a couple different roles. I was working with our team at the Department of Natural Resources in the Governor's legislative package that unlocked both the Trees Bill, the use of our surface resources for carbon credit generation— I see Trevor in the audience, which he presented on yesterday— but also the Rocks Bill, which is the permanent sequestration and storage of carbon dioxide underground in our geologic reservoirs”
Interior transfers 1.4 million acres in Dalton corridor to Alaska
Interior transferred 1.4 million acres along the Dalton Corridor to Alaska, completing 96% of the state's statehood land entitlement, though some Alaska Native tribes have sued over the selections.
Senate Panel Questions DNR Commissioner Nominee on Gas Development
Senate committee pressed DNR nominee John Crowther on Cook Inlet gas supply and oil royalty disputes as he seeks confirmation to lead Alaska's resource department.