Mental Health Trust lands to be sold in Valley

MAT-SU -- The Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Office has announced its intentions to sell off parcels of lake frontage land in several Valley locations later this year, and is asking for comments from the public on the decision by April 1.

"This is really our annual sale public notice kickoff," said Land Office senior resource manager Alison Smith. "The list can be added to, or parcels may be deleted from the list."

In the Valley, one parcel on Flat Lake, with boat- or floatplane-only access, is included in the initial 2004 sale list; five lake and road access parcels on Little Horseshoe (or West) Lake and three fly-in only parcels on Twin Island Lake are also listed. It is possible that parcels in the Bruce Lake Subdivision may be added to the list at a later date. Nearly 100 parcels throughout the state are listed this year, ranging from less than one acre to nine acres in size.

The Alaska Mental Health Trust owns approximately one million acres of land across the state, and the Trust Land Office is in charge of sales to generate revenue to be used for mental health programs in the state. The Alaska Mental Health Trust Fund has $300 million in earnings, and is managed by the Alaska Permanent Fund. Money generated by the sale of the land goes directly into the fund for future mental health programs; if the Land Office finances the sale of a parcel, any interest made from that financed property can be spent the following year. The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority manages the financial side of the trust, and will decide what programs the money will support. Jeff Jessee, the executive director for the Authority, said the funds will be spread throughout Alaska, regardless of where the property sold is located. There is good news for the Valley, he said, the Trust Authority is considering helping launch a project Sen. Lyda Green has been pushing.

"We don't earmark funds, but one project we are looking at is opening a mental health court in the Valley," Jessee said.

For more information on the sales, which will be done through sealed bids, contact the Trust Land Office at (907) 269-8658.