Opinion ID: 2450415
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: DNR's Regulation And Decisions

Text: Gillis argues that we should apply our independent judgment and not defer to 11 AAC 67.053, [29] DNR's 1985 regulation implementing AS 38.05.035(f), because: (1) the regulation refers to federal jurisdiction, which he argues is distinct from and broader than federal ownership; and (2) DNR did not adequately explain its previous denial of an application for a preference right. We agree with Gillis that jurisdiction and ownership carry distinct meanings. [30] But the consistent and longstanding manner in which DNR has applied both its regulation and subsection .035(f) helps resolve any possible ambiguity in either the subsection or regulation. Although we agree with Gillis that we use our independent judgment, we have recognized that an agency's interpretation of a law within its area of jurisdiction can help resolve lingering ambiguity, particularly when the agency's interpretation is longstanding. [31] DNR denied a request for a preference right in 1986 in part because the applicant failed to prove he entered federal land before state selection; DNR denied an informal request in 2008 for the same reason. [32] DNR's interpretation of subsection.035(f) and application of 11 AAC 67.053 span decades and support our plain meaning interpretation.