(a) Unless otherwise specified, this chapter applies to forest land under state, municipal, or private ownership. (b) For federal land, the degree of resource protection may not be less than that established by this chapter for state land except that AS 41.17.119 establishes the minimum riparian standard. (c) The commissioner shall exempt by regulation from the provisions of this chapter (1) minor, small scale, or incidental commercial operations of little significance with respect to the purposes of this chapter; and (2) operations for primarily noncommercial purposes, including but not limited to the harvesting of timber for personal use. (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the commissioner may not employ the authority vested by this chapter so as to duplicate or preempt the statutory authority of other state agencies to adopt regulations or undertake other administrative actions governing resources, values, or activities on forest land except for regulations, if authorized by the commissioner of environmental conservation, relating to control of nonpoint source pollution. ns governing resources, values, or activities on forest land except for regulations, if authorized by the commissioner of environmental conservation, relating to control of nonpoint source pollution. (e) [Repealed, § 18 ch 31 SLA 2005.] (f) This chapter does not diminish the rights, privileges, or immunities of Alaska Natives or Alaska Native corporations with respect to land conveyed under 43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. (Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act), and does not alter or diminish the authority of the Department of Fish and Game under AS 16, of the Department of Environmental Conservation under AS 46, or of a state agency under other law.
Alaska Legal Code