Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB220

Rules for Easements and Rights-of-Way in Alaska State Parks

Last scannedSep 10, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This law requires state officials to grant easements or rights-of-way across park land for private access and public utilities if the project meets specific safety, environmental, and legal standards.

Requires the Department of Natural Resources to grant an easement or right-of-way within a state park unit for accessing private property or installing utility facilities if it does not unduly affect park resources, is in the public interest, and complies with other laws.
Mandates that utility easements must provide adequate space for installation, operation, maintenance, upgrades, removal, or replacement of equipment.
Sets a 60-day deadline for officials to approve or reject complete applications; if no decision is made in time, the application is considered approved unless another law prohibits it.
Limits what conditions officials can add by banning requirements for work outside the easement area, duplicative studies, unclear standards, undefined timelines, or unfair treatment compared to similar applicants.
Requires applicants to submit a form describing public benefits, needs, location, proposed facilities, an environmental assessment matching the project's scale, and a survey of the affected land.

Property owners who need access across state park land to reach their private property.
Utility providers seeking to install or maintain infrastructure like power lines within parks.
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, which must review applications and issue permits.

The law does not specify an effective date in this text.
Officials can still reject applications if they determine the project will unduly affect park resources, is not in the public interest, or violates other laws.
Specific details about survey formats and environmental assessment requirements depend on future regulations created by the department.

Plain language

Easement: A legal right granted by the state to use a specific part of park land for access or utility lines.
Right-of-way: The path of land set aside within a park for travel, pipes, wires, or other public facilities.

Official record

Validated

EASEMENTS & RIGHTS OF WAY IN STATE PARKS An Act relating to easements and rights-of-way in state parks.

Official activity