Opinion ID: 2639890
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Chalovich's Challenge to AS 11 AAC 86.107(g) Is Moot.

Text: Chalovich also challenges the validity of 11 AAC 86.107(g), which prohibits DNR from making a refund of a payment of cash in lieu of annual labor, and argues that the department had no right to payment after his claims were abandoned. He asserts that if he had no interest in these claims after September 1, 1999 then DNR had no right to retain the payment it received on September 3 or other payments made since that time. He concedes that he has not requested a refund, but claims that the plain language of the regulation would make it fruitless to do so. He asks that we find that the regulation was not authorized by the Alaska Land Act, and that it violates the due process clauses of the Alaska and of the United States Constitutions, as well as the principles of equity. We decline to reach this issue in light of our decision that Chalovich timely paid cash in lieu of labor in 1999. In any event, DNR agrees that annual labor is required only for active mining claims, so any payment made after a claim is abandoned is unnecessary and would be returned to the miner. [58]