The Survey Unit
is the initial point of contact for applying to vacate
a easement managed by DNR . Information regarding petitioning
to replat existing lot lines in the Unorganized Borough
is included here because it is handled under the same
process and regulations as easement vacations.
The following types of easements require DNR approval
for full or partial vacation:
- Section-Line Easements of any width
- RS 2477 Rights-of-Way
- Easements “To and Along Public Water” created
per AS 38.05.127
- Any other easements reserved and managed by DNR
The vacation of section-line easements and RS 2477
rights-of-way also requires the approval of the Department
of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT/PF). A petition
filed with DNR will be automatically forwarded to DOT/PF,
along with copies of the required submittals, and applicants
are not required to petition DOT/PF directly. The Survey
Unit will also solicit comments directly from other State
agencies.
The supporting materials required along with the petition
and application fee differ according to the location
and type of action requested. There are three different
situations:
1. Easement Vacations within a local platting
authority
$750 Application Fee
Local platting authority is granted to organized boroughs
and incorporated cities and municipalities. If your property
lies within a incorporated city or borough, you should
contact the appropriate office to determine whether or
not they are exercising their platting authority. If
you are unsure how to contact the local government, the
Division of Community Advocacy maintains an online Community
Database that we have found to be helpful.
Click here for instructions
on petitions within a local platting authority or download the
petition, instructions and other information in Adobe
PDF format.
2. Easement Vacations in the Unorganized Borough
$750 Application Fee
If there is not a local platting authority, then DNR
is the platting authority, in accordance with AS 40.15.
Within the Unorganized Borough, the vacation or alteration
of any public easement or right-of-way of record is a
vacation subject to the requirements of AS
29.40.120-.150 and AS
40.15.300(e).
Click here for
instructions for petitions within the Unorganized
Borough platting authority or download the
petition, instructions and other information in Adobe
PDF format.
3. Replats in the Unorganized Borough
$50 Application / Survey Instruction Fee
Within the Unorganized Borough, if new subdivision
lotting overlaps, or in any way alters platted lot lines,
it is a replat subject to the requirements of
AS 29.40.120-.150 and AS
40.15.300(e). Protracted lot lines, depicted as dashed lines, on GLO
or BLM rectangular survey plats approved by the federal government are
lot lines of record and subject to the same regulations if replatted.
Click here to download DNR Policy (with
examples) on when a replat petition is required.
Click here to download the
petition and instructions in Adobe PDF format.
Downloads useful for drafting:
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