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As the Alaska Department of Natural Resources is deliberating on a controversial no-cost state land transfer in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, legal questions remain around whether the transfer of public lands for private development qualifies as public or charitable use.
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The state could transfer 20,000 acres near Houston to its economic development agency, the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, for a proposed multi-use industrial and energy development district — a proposal that has sparked controversy because it could include data center development.
Under a rare legislative subpoena, DNR Commissioner John Crowther appeared before the Senate Resources Committee on Monday to answer questions about the department’s recent slew of proposed state land transfers to several state agencies at no cost under a “public and charitable use” statute, including the Mat-Su proposal.
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The committee subpoenaed Crowther after he declined to appear at another hearing earlier this month. Department officials said at the time he did not have permission from Gov. Mike Dunleavy to appear.
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