Opinion ID: 1191743
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: DNR's application of the district CMPs

Text: If an affected coastal district does not expressly concur in DNR's CCD, DNR must apply the local DCMPs to the extent it reasonably can at the lease sale stage. See 6 AAC 50.120(a) (1995).
The Kenai district expressed its concurrence by letter. Therefore, DNR could properly rely on the district's express finding that the Sale is consistent with its CMP. Nonetheless, and despite the deference DNR owes to the findings of a local district, 6 AAC 80.010(b) required DNR to determine independently that the Sale is consistent with the Kenai DCMP. The record does not indicate that DNR made any such determination. Instead, DNR's final finding is arguably inconsistent with the Kenai DCMP requirement that the cumulative effects of a consistency determination be examined. DNR stated that Cook Inlet was a mature petroleum province but did not address possible effects of the federal Cook Inlet leasing program or a coal processing project. Further, DNR's lease stipulations may squarely conflict with the express terms of the DCMP's mitigation standard. We remand to DNR with directions to independently determine whether the Sale is consistent with the Kenai DCMP.
The Municipality of Anchorage did not expressly concur in DNR's CCD for Sale 78. Therefore, 6 AAC 80.010(b) required DNR to apply the Anchorage DCMP standards to the Sale tracts within the Municipality of Anchorage to be consistent with the ACMP. NTC argues that DNR failed to comply with the Anchorage DCMP because it failed to prefer development of tracts in areas already developed. According to NTC, DNR failed to comply with this goal because, instead of looking at the specific areas in question, it considered the entire Cook Inlet as one developed area. The State responds that this approach is appropriate, as the tracts within the Municipality of Anchorage are designated by the DCMP as Class IV waters. Class IV waters are classified under utilization environment, which comprises areas recognized as being potentially suitable for future growth and development. The State argues that the preference for `development within already developed areas' is embodied in the classification of Class IV waters. Based on the Anchorage DCMP, the designation of an area as Class IV waters does not appear to mean that all parts of that area are in fact already developed; it means that they are subject to development. DNR discussed the Anchorage DCMP briefly, but nowhere considered the DCMP's goal that [e]mphasis should be given to development within already developed areas. Consequently, DNR did not comply with the Anchorage DCMP. We remand to DNR with instructions to consider the Anchorage DCMP's goal of emphasi[zing] ... development within already developed areas.
The Mat-Su Borough did not expressly concur in DNR's CCD for Sale 78. Therefore, DNR also had to apply the Mat-Su DCMP standards to tracts within that borough for the Sale to be consistent with the ACMP. NTC argues that, among other things, DNR failed to comply with the Mat-Su DCMP's mitigation technique requirements. The State replies that DNR reasonably addressed the mitigation concerns of the Mat-Su DCMP at the lease sale stage, and will apply the requirements more specifically at the exploration and development stages. Coastal Habitats Standard 6 of the Mat-Su DCMP provides that [m]itigation techniques ... shall include replacing stream bank vegetation where possible [and] creation of oil and grease separators prior to road development runoff entering rivers, lakes, and streams, creation of settlement systems prior to development runoff entering stream corridors thereby decreasing sedimentation. Lease Term 21 addressed this mitigation standard, and provides in relevant part: At the option of the state, all improvements such as roads, pads, and wells must either be abandoned and the sites rehabilitated by the lessee to the satisfaction of the state, or be left intact and the lessee absolved of all further responsibility as to their maintenance, repair, and eventual abandonment and rehabilitation. However, this lease term is vague and standardless, and gives DNR the discretion not to require revegetation at a later stage. It therefore does not satisfy the Mat-Su mitigation technique requirements. Accordingly, we remand to DNR with instructions to consider the Mat-Su DCMP's mitigation standard in rendering its CCD.