Commercial Material Sales

Additional potential new materials sites are being considered for permits and development to support construction throughout the Borough. Please contact the Land and Resource Management Division to learn more.

• An application to extract gravel from an undeveloped and/or unpermitted site on Borough land can be proposed through a commercial permit application.
• Material sales from existing Borough owned gravel pits are available by application from the LMD. 

  Applicants are advised to consult with the Natural Resource Manager, and discuss operational requirements for individual sites prior to submitting any application.

  The application process may take longer than 30 days to complete due to public notice and board review requirements. The LMD will work to negotiate a contract for the applicant in the least amount of time.  Assembly approval is required for contracts greater than $25,000. This can add additional time before the material may be purchased. Unpermitted sites may require 30-180 days to get permitted for gravel extraction.

• Upon contract agreement, the contractor will be required to provide:

  • proof of insurance
  • a performance bond
  • a reclamation bond
  • a minimum royalty pre-payment

 Application to purchase earth materials from an existing material site.

Material sales from undeveloped or unpermitted sites generally take longer. The reports listed above provide information on where future material sales are possible. Contact the Natural Resource Manager to discuss opportunities to purchase material from new Borough material sites.

 Opportunity to Bid on Commercial Material Lease CML 23-01

MSB007984 Kashwitna East Material Site, Milepost 77 Parks Hwy

Notice - Over-the-Counter sale for a Commercial Material Lease of a permitted 152-acre site with an estimated 9.5 million tons of recoverable material.

-Bids due March 2, 2025 by 2pm

-Bid Packet includes notice to bidders, gravel extraction permit, and the geotechnical report

Commercial Timber Harvest Sales

5 Year Timber Harvest Schedule (2021-2025)

Competitive and over-the-counter timber harvest sales are offered in accordance with the MSB Five Year Timber Harvest Schedule.

The Periodic Timber Harvest Implementation Schedule (Schedule) for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough (MSB) consists of all MSB commercial timber harvests scheduled for 2021 thru 2025. This Schedule is required by and is in compliance with MSB Code at 23.20.110; and is adheres to the Five-Year Timber Harvest Schedule (FYTHS), adopted February 16, 2021. Please contact the Natural Resource Manager, Emerson Krueger at 907-861-7867 if you have any questions regarding Commercial Timber Harvest Sales.

See the schedule above for upcoming competitive sales.  All current commercial timber sales are listed below.

Commercial Salvage Timber Sales

2025 Outcry Auction Salvage Timber Sale - Auction Date January 7, 2025 at 9am.

• Moraine Ridge STH25-003 - 1,070 acres - 4,860 Cords (click for the auction packet)
  • Form A - Outcry Bid Card Form - $500 - due by January 6, 2025 at noon
  • Form B - Bidder Qualification Statement - submit with Form A
  • Form C - Special Power of Attorney - submit with Form A and B, if using an authorized agent, must be recorded with the State Recorders Office

Competitive Sealed Bid Salvage Timber Sale:

• Burma Road, STH 25-004 - 26 acres - 182 cords (click for bid packet) Bids due 12/31/2024, 2pm

Over the Counter Salvage Timber Sale:

• Carat Street STH 25-002 - 28 acres - 244 cords (click for over-the-counter bid packet) Bids Due 11/27/2026

The Borough vacant land viewer can be used to quickly identify tracts of Borough-owned land. This application can be mobile friendly, allowing someone in the field to get an approximate idea of where the Borough land is located and if salvagable timber is present. Salvage sales must be publicly noticed for 30-days. 

The Borough Natural Resource Unit Management Plan includes descriptions of the Borough's commercial forestland. Salvage sales are possible in most Units described in the Plan. Salvage can also occur on Borough parcels not included in the Plan.

Non-commercial timber salvage permtis are available by application. A non-refundable $500 application fee must be submitted with a complete application identifying the location of the proposed harvest. Interested parties are urged to walk the Borough land they want to harvest before submitting an application. The Borough makes no guaruntee of timber availability or suitability. Salvage permits are for beetle-damaged spruce and over-mature birch. Approved applications must be posted for a 30-day public notice. Applicant will pay mailing expenses. Staff will flag harvest area boundaries. Harvest areas greater than 40 acres must comply with the Alaska Forest Resources and Practices Act, and be described in a state Detailed Plan of Operations, provided by the applicant. Timber is for non-commercial use only. Any indications timber or timber products are being sold will result in immediate termination of the permit and forefetiure of any opportunity to apply for Borough permits for up to five years. Approved applicants will have to submit a certificate of insurance in accordance with the salvage permit insurance requirements.

Personal Use

Gravel and firewood are offered for sale by permit for non-commerical use.  The gravel and firewood harvested under a personal use permit may not be offered for sale, barter, or trade.  Gravel and firewood areas are only available while supplies last.

It is incumbant upon the buyer to field check the area before paying for a permit. All resources must be obtained by the purchaser. No Borough equipment is available on site. 

When available, the Borough offers free Christmas tree harvest permits for personal use. A permit is required and free through the following eCommerce link.

Personal Use Gravel Sales (MSB 23.10.120)

Up to 100 cubic yards of personal use gravel per household per year is available by permit.  Personal Use Gravel areas, listed here, are flagged, signed, and open.  Permits are available online and at the Land Management office located at the DSJ Building, 350 E. Dahlia Ave. Palmer, from 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday.  Please see the eCommerce page for more information on specific sites.

• Alsop Personal Use Gravel Site is located north of Reddane Avenue.

Interested parties are encouraged to contact the Natural Resource Manager to discuss the possibility of opening additional personal use gravel sites on Borough-owned land. Referencing the tax ID of a parcel is often the quickest way to orient Land Management Staff to the location of interest.  Limitations for future personal use gravel sites include a general prohibition on leaving holes in Borough-owned land, ensuring existing road access can withstand traffic generated by the activity, as well conerns regarding the activities impacts on surrounding property owners.

Personal Use Firewood Permits MSB 23.20.170

Up to 10 cords of personal use firewood per household per year is available by permit.  A Personal Use Firewood Area (PUFA) harvest permit is required prior to harvesting any firewood.  The firewood harvest areas are flagged, signed, and open.  Permits are good for the calendar year only.  New permits are available online and at the Land Managment office located at the DSJ Building, 350 E. Dahlia Ave., Palmer, 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday.  Please see the eCommerce page for more information.

Temporary beetle-kill spruce firewood harvest areas are open while supplies last. A permit is required. There is no cord limit per household for the dead spruce. Please see the eCommerce page for more information.

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