Alaska Department of Natural Resources
Division of Mining, Land and Water
Division of Mining, Land and Water
At Mining, Land and Water, our vision is "Putting Alaska’s resources to work - now and in the future!'"
At the Division of Mining, Land and Water, we manage the vast, breathtaking expanses of state-owned lands across Alaska. From towering peaks to sprawling shores, we’re stewards or coordinators of millions of acres of state-owned lands.
When the final land transfers under the historic Alaska Statehood Act are complete, we’ll oversee a staggering 100 million acres of uplands—lands rich with resources just waiting to be explored.
But our reach doesn’t stop there. We safeguard Alaska’s 65 million acres of tidelands, shorelands, and submerged lands, stretching along 34,000 miles of stunning coastline. Whether you’re dreaming of land ownership or investing in Alaska’s future, we offer unique opportunities through auctions, lotteries, land grants, and more.
Plus, Alaska is home to an extraordinary resource—40% of the nation’s fresh water. Our division ensures that these waters, essential to life, industry, and the environment, are well-managed for generations to come.
Be part of a team that shapes the land and future of Alaska. Join us in making an impact!
Director
Division Operations Manager
Division Operations Manager
MINING, LAND AND WATER SECTIONS
The Division’s three Regional Land Offices manage nearly 165 million acres of state public domain land for multiple and maximum use consistent with the public interest. DMLW's regional offices located in Juneau, Anchorage and Fairbanks authorize the development of land projects ranging from roads and material sale sites, to ball parks and schools. Your work will directly support businesses, private individuals, communities, public entities, and non-profit organizations.
The Mining Section drives Alaska’s mining industry forward, processing claims, approving permits, and leading reclamation efforts. Managing over 32,500 claims, we ensure compliance with state laws while regulating coal mining and issuing mineral leases. By streamlining permits through a single application, you'll make exploration and development more accessible, fueling Alaska’s resource potential.
The Water Resources Section is responsible for safeguarding one of Alaska’s most precious resources: water. Whether it’s issuing water rights or granting temporary authorizations, your work will make a direct impact on the state’s health, safety, and booming industries.
The Public Access Assertion & Defense (PAAD) Section defends ownership of state lands through extensive research and field work. When disputes arise over state land ownership due to unclear patents, titles, or surveys, PAAD defends the state’s interests against federal and private claims. The section plays a crucial role in determining state navigability, providing guidance for decision-making across state departments. You'll be on the front line protecting Alaska's land rights!
Contract Initiation and Revenue Recovery provides contract services for land sales and land authorizations. Ensures existing contracts are current and administers expirations, defaults, and revenue tracking efforts.
The Land Conveyance Section disposes of state land from public to private ownership through competitive auctions, lotteries, and over-the-counter sales, as well as non-competitive conveyances for municipal entitlements, land exchanges, and preference right sales. The section must write decisions, balance state interests, and conduct various conveyance procedures to transfer state land from state ownership.
The Statewide Abatement and Impaired Land (SAIL) Section works to represent the state landowner interests in matters of regulated impairments caused by spills, contamination, and solid waste. Staff also write best interest findings to weigh landowner consent for impairments that are authorized by regulatory agencies. Your work will ensure that Alaska is developed responsibly and the natural beauty of Alaska is protected.
RADS staff conduct extensive public review processes to create area plans and management plans. Once the state receives title to land, the Department must prepare plans that appropriately classify land, making clear the management intent for how state lands will be used and developed. This is constitutionally and statutorily mandated and is the foundation for future natural resource and land management decisions.
The Realty Services Section provides real estate title services that are foundational to any disposal of interest, conveyance, acquisition, exchange, or other land title transfer. This section works with the Federal Bureau of Land Management to ensure that Alaska receives its Statehood land entitlement. You'll be part of the team that acts as the realtor for DNR and other State agencies.
The Appraisal Section performs appraisals and market checks and reviews the work of contract appraisers to determine fair market value of land, which is a statutory requirement for many disposal actions. The section can assess private and commercial properties. Section staff are considered experts in court actions regarding the valuation of land and resources. You'll work for the team that ensures land is sold or developed to its maximum economic potential.
The survey section determines boundaries of state lands, submerged lands and navigable waters. They also ensure lands acquired by DNR are adequately described and state property interests are protected from loss to federal overreaching surveys which encroach onto state land interests. You'll work for the team that provides necessary surveys for DNR activities such as land sales, oil and gas lease sales, granting of easements and municipal conveyances.
MINING, LAND AND WATER IN THE FIELD
REGIONAL OFFICES