3.0 Affected Environment - Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority

Knik Arm Crossing DraftFinal EIS
Affected Environment
3.1.1.3.4 State land
The State of Alaska was granted over 100 million acres of land when it achieved statehood
in 1959. The State owns land in portions of the Study Area. State lands include state parks
and refuges, such as the Nancy Lake State Recreation Area, Susitna Flats State Game
Refuge, Willow Creek State Recreation Area, Little Susitna State Recreation Area, Goose
Bay State Game Refuge, and the Iditarod Trail route. State land also includes submerged and
other land within the KAC Study Area.
3.1.1.3.5 Alaska Mental Health Trust Lands
State of Alaska Mental Health Trust Lands were granted to the territory by the federal
government prior to statehood to generate revenue to support Alaska’s mental health
programs. In 1978, the State Legislature waived the trust status of these lands, allowing land
to be leased, sold, and transferred to municipalities. In the 1980s, mental health advocates
sued, and the State was ordered to “reconstitute, as nearly as possible, the holdings which
comprised the trust when the 1978 law became effective.” A new Mental Health Trust Land
Office under the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (ADNR) has been created to
manage these trust lands.
3.1.1.3.6 Public university land
Land owned and managed by the University of Alaska was originally granted to the
University by the federal government in accordance with two Acts of Congress dated
March 4, 1915, and January 21, 1929. This property and other trust land that was
subsequently deeded to the University by the State of Alaska are for the exclusive use and
benefit of the University of Alaska and, therefore, are not State public domain land.
3.1.1.3.7 Federal land
Federal lands include nationally designated lands, such as wildlife refuges and national parks,
as well as federal public lands. As shown in Figure 3.3, about 30 percent of the land in
Mat-Su Borough is federal (national park and BLM), but there is no federal land in the area
of indirect effects.
3.1.1.3.8 Elmendorf Air Force Base
Elmendorf is a federal military installation covering approximately 21 square miles of land
adjacent to the Anchorage Bowl.
3.1.1.3.9 Fort Richardson Military Base
Fort Richardson is a federal military installation covering approximately 96 square miles of
land adjacent to the Anchorage Bowl.
3.1.1.3.10 City land
City lands include land owned by the incorporated Cities of Houston, Palmer, and Wasilla.
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