Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage

December 13, 2023

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

It's the most wonderful time of the year! In these busy weeks between major holidays, we hope you're enjoying the activities that make this season bright. If Christmas trees are a part of your holiday celebrations, read on to learn about how to legally harvest a tree in Southcentral Alaska.

Save the Date!

Pre-Session Constituent Meeting

Please join the offices of Senator Claman, Representative McKay, and Representative Armstrong for a Pre-Session Constituent Meeting to discuss the upcoming legislative session.

When: Tuesday, January 9th, 5:30 to 6:30pm

Where: Anchorage Legislative Information Office (1500 W Benson Blvd), Denali Room

Snowplowing in Anchorage

In response to the heavy snowfall in Anchorage in November, the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) and the State Department of Transportation & Public Facilities

(DOTP&F) entered into an “informal” agreement for the MOA to plow some state-owned roads. The Anchorage Daily News published an article on November 15 that described this agreement.

Several days after the MOA performed the work on state-owned roads, DOTP&F and the MOA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the State to pay $30,461.71 for the November snowplowing. There may be additional fees in the future for MOA maintenance of state-owned roads. People across Anchorage have expressed concerns about this informal agreement along with questions about whether DOTP&F and the MOA are adequately prepared for another large snowfall. As a winter city, our capacity to clear our roads to that people can get to work and children can get to school is a concern for all Anchorage residents.

Moving forward, we'll be working for a better understanding of the best options for efficient maintenance of both state and municipal roads. And we'll be supporting efforts for DOTP&F and the MOA to work together for better snowplowing services.

To view the full contract between the State DOT&PF and MOA, please click here .

Does your neighborhood want funding for a capital project?

It's time to submit CAPSIS requests!

Every year, the legislature uses the Legislative Finance Capital Project Submission

and Information System (CAPSIS) to allow communities and potential grant recipients to submit capital project requests to their legislators. To read more about the Capital Budget and CAPSIS, click here.

The Legislature recently announced that CAPSIS is open online to enter capital projects and key information about them. We encourage community members to work with their community councils to identify capital projects or get in touch with our office about specific capital projects.

For more information about when and where your community council meets, see our Community Events section below or visit the Federation of Community Council's website here.

Watch ANCSA's 50th Anniversary video

At a recent presentation about Alaska Native Corporations, we were delighted to learn about the 30-minute documentary: ANCSA. Our People. Our Land. Our Future. Produced in 2021, the film celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA).

ANCSA created the 12 Alaska Native regional corporations, and I'd like to take a moment to express gratitude for all the services they provide for Alaskans. Alaska Native regional corporations are for-profit businesses that work to improve the quality of life for their shareholders by focusing on social, health, cultural, and educational services while bringing needed revenue to the state.

ANCSA also created the framework to establish over 200 Alaska Native village corporations. Alaska Native village corporations are private, for-profit corporations owned by Alaska Native shareholders to manage the land for the benefit of their shareholders.

In 2018, Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) cumulatively brought in over $10.5 billion in revenue and in 2019, ANCs accounted for nearly 50% of the rankings in the Alaska Business’ listing of the Top 49 corporations in the State. ANCs employ more than 15,000 people in Alaska, reported the Resource Development Council.

ANCSA Native Corporations are unique assets in Alaska that have diversified our economy and provided essential services to Alaskans for generations.

You can watch the film using the link below.

Watch the video here

Community Information

→ Harvesting Christmas Trees on State Land

Alaska residents who enjoy getting out in the woods and harvesting their own tree can use the Christmas Tree Cutting on State Land site to find maps and information for Southcentral Alaska. Each household is limited to one tree, which can be no more than 15 feet high. There are no fees, and a permit is not required. Maps and information on Christmas tree harvesting in Southcentral Alaska—as well as information about how to care for your fresh-cut tree—are available at https://dnr.alaska.gov/commis/pic/christmastree.htm.

For a directory of area forestry offices, including addresses and phone numbers, go to http://forestry.alaska.gov . Answers to additional questions are available at the Department of Natural Resource’s Public Information Centers in Anchorage (907-269-8400).

→ 2024 State Park Annual Parking Pass

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that State Parks 2024 Parking Passes are now available.

Parking passes are $60 until December 31, then the price will increase to $75 on January 1, 2024. Boat launch passes will also be available for $150.

Please visit DNR's website for more information or to purchase. Click here for more details.

→ Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal program that gives up to $75/month to Alaskan households to qualify and are having trouble affording broadband internet.

Check out getinternet.gov to see if you qualify for a Federal subsidy.