Borough maps mineral assets

MAT-SU -- Managing personal assets is impossible unless you know what they are, borough officials say, and the same goes for governments.

The Mat-Su Borough Assembly, at its Feb. 19 meeting, approved $34,975 to complete the mineral and material resources component of the Land and Resource Asset Management Plan for just that reason.

The plan, according to borough officials, will provide a detailed inventory of all mineral and material resources on borough land, consider future markets for the resources, and discuss future management issues.

Ron Swanson, borough community development director, recently discussed with the Frontiersman what the Asset Management Plan is, why we need it, and how it is developed.

Swanson has been largely responsible for development of the AMP during the three years he has served the Mat-Su Borough. He explained that it updates the Comprehensive Plan as it relates to borough-owned land and natural resources.

"The AMP is an inventory and analysis of borough resources to determine their highest and best use for all borough residents," Swanson said.

He explained that the borough is changing rapidly, with growth and population patterns vastly different than they were 20 years ago when the Comprehensive Plan was developed. Strategic, long-range planning is essential, he said, to assure maximum public benefit and to protect public interest in future growth and utilization of borough resources.

According to Swanson, the AMP is a long-range plan for the allocation of borough-owned land and natural resources to accommodate future growth patterns and public needs for schools, outdoor recreation, open space, public safety facilities, transportation corridors, trails, community centers and libraries, as well as timber, agriculture, material and land sales

"Throughout the process we try to achieve a balance of single and multiple uses, public protection of resources such as parks, trails and recreation areas, private ownership and sustained yield where appropriate," Swanson said.

The public, he said, is involved at every step of the process to identify and plan for borough-owned and managed assets.

Each AMP component is based upon an inventory of specific kinds of resources. Those inventories are then included into a single Geographic Information System (GIS) automated database. With this information, the borough prepares maps and reports to be used in plan development.

But that data doesn't stay within the borough walls.

The information is provided to the public through informal open houses or questionnaires to solicit public input on past, present and potential uses, and to identify land and resource issues that are incorporated into the draft plans.

The public reviews the draft plans through more open houses or meetings with community councils, and reviews by the Agricultural and Forestry Board, Transportation Advisory Board and Parks, Recreation and Trails Advisory Board.

Finally, the amended plans are submitted to the planning commission and the assembly for introduction, public hearing, and adoption and land-use classification.

Swanson said AMP components are being completed at the overall rate of about one per year. Already in use are the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan and the Recreational Trails Plan.

He expects the Timber, Agriculture and Wetlands component of the plan to be finished this year, and next year should see the completion of plans for public facilities and land disposal.

An additional benefit, according to Bish Buckle, chair of the Parks, Recreation and Trails Advisory Board, is being able to take advantage of windfalls.

"For example," Buckle said, "often there are surprise opportunities for projects with funding provided by private, state or federal grants. Having an AMP in place provides evidence to the grantor of the need for funding. Usually time is of the essence."

Buckle added that he encourages people to take the time to participate in the public AMP process because it impacts their future and that of their children.

"This is real-world stuff," Buckle said. "Not just a bureaucratic exercise."