Current Priorities

AOAA projects focus on protecting public access, supporting responsible land management, and ensuring Alaskan voices are represented in land-use decisions across the state.

Proposed Massive Renewable Energy Land Lease in Talkeetna Mountains

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The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has received a land lease application (ADL 234691) from Clear Energy for approximately 269,795 acres of state-owned land in the Talkeetna Mountains, about 20 miles northeast of Talkeetna. The proposal seeks a 40-year lease to construct, operate, and maintain renewable power generation facilities, energy storage systems, and associated infrastructure. The project is described as an effort to diversify Alaska's energy supply with reliable, low-cost, and sustainable options. DNR is currently in the solicitation-of-interest phase (ending midnight April 3, 2026), inviting other parties to express interest in developing the same site competitively, if none do, it proceeds to a negotiated lease directly with Clear Energy, followed by further public review of project details.

Alaska Long Trail National Scenic Trail Designation

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The proposed Alaska Long Trail and its potential designation as a National Scenic Trail (NST) raised significant concerns about long-term land management, access, and local control. While the concept of a statewide trail has broad appeal, the NST designation introduces federal involvement that could affect existing uses, access rights, and decision-making processes across a wide range of state, federal, and local lands. The Alaska Outdoor Access Alliance engaged by reviewing proposal materials, educating the public on what an NST designation could mean in practice, and encouraging informed participation in the planning process. AOAA raised concerns about how motorized access, traditional use, private land interests, and community input would be addressed under a federal designation. AOAA continues to monitor developments related to the Alaska Long Trail to ensure that access impacts are fully considered, public processes are transparent, and Alaska-based voices remain central to any future decisions.

Whittier - Horsetail Falls Access

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In spring 2025, motorized access in the Whittier area was temporarily shut down, affecting long-standing recreational use and access routes relied on by local residents and visitors. The closure raised concerns about how access decisions were communicated, the clarity of authority and process, and the broader implications for motorized recreation in the area.

The Alaska Outdoor Access Alliance engaged by monitoring developments, gathering information, and tracking agency actions to better understand how and why the shutdown occurred. AOAA continues to monitor the situation to ensure future access decisions are transparent, clearly justified, and consider established use, community input, and multiple-use principles.