Permitting natural resources: a glimpse at the enormity of time and money for project development.

AuthorStorm, Joette
PositionSPECIAL SECTION: Environmental Services

Permitting. The very word may strike fear in the heart of a resource developer who thinks the permitting process will delay the project and cost a lot of money. In reality, it is a creative collaboration involving land managers and users that protects what belongs to the public while suggesting best practices that lead to successful projects. However, permitting does take time and money.

Managing the development of Alaska's lands, waters and resources in the "public trust" has given rise to a complex web of permitting procedures that span local, federal and state entities. The body of regulations and laws that guide management of public lands and waters creates challenges and opportunities for users and managers alike.

Three agencies provide the bulk of permitting on state land while any number of local or federal agencies have responsibility for approving access to other public lands. Alaska Department of Natural Resources is the primary leasing agent, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation has wide-ranging health and safety responsibilities that place it in the middle of permitting functions, while the Alaska Department of Fish and Game scrutinizes the effects of projects on the fish and game and their habitat.

A glance at the ADNR website (dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/permit_lease/) gives an idea of the range and type of permits. There are permits for any type of mining, commercial recreation businesses, scientific research and overland travel, among other activities. Some permits are for temporary use, others can cover five to 10 years with provisions for renewal. For example, a backcountry guiding business wishing to establish a base camp complete with yurt and storage facilities on state land will need a lease and perhaps several permits. The lease will cover a five-year period.

Government entities, such as the National Resource Conservation Service, intending to install scientific equipment to measure snow or wind, will also require a permit and pay fees for placement of the device on state land.

Aquaculture operations require a lease that starts at $450 for the first acre and a number of permits ranging from $169 to $500. Filing and permit fees can total more than $2,000. The permits set out various requirements, including collecting water samples and sending them to ADEC. The permitting might take six to nine months depending upon the

location of the lease and the extent to which other landowners are affected.

Scope and Scale

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