Opinion ID: 1283283
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Did the court correctly affirm the DNR decision?

Text: The DNR held that Foster was not eligible to repurchase, since he did not satisfy the statutory requirement of being [t]he record owner at the time of ... foreclosure or his assign[]. [11] Foster argues that the DNR was mistaken, and that the superior court was wrong to affirm. The basis for this argument is that the DNR failed to appreciate the distinction between the `record owner' and the `assign' of the record owner. Foster admits that it is unclear which of two people was the record owner at the time of foreclosure. But, he claims the uncertainty is irrelevant since he is the assign of both of them. Thus, Foster claims that he is eligible to repurchase. Furthermore, he asserts in his brief that there is no requirement in the Land Registration Law that the `assign' of the record owner be of record. The administrative decision does not indicate that the DNR considered only evidence from the land records. Rather, the decision indicates in great detail that Foster simply failed to establish both who the record owner was, and whether Foster is an assign (either on or off the record) of that person. The question whether Foster is an assign of the former record owners is a question of fact. Foster presented evidence to show that he was an assign. The DNR found his evidence inadequate. The appropriate standard of review for agency factual findings is the substantial evidence test. See State Alcoholic Beverage Control Bd. v. Decker, 700 P.2d 483, 486 (Alaska 1985); Storrs v. State Medical Board, 664 P.2d 547, 555 (Alaska 1983). This court has defined substantial evidence as such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion. Galt v. Stanton, 591 P.2d 960, 962-63 (Alaska 1979) (quoting Keiner v. City of Anchorage, 378 P.2d 406, 411 (Alaska 1963)). The DNR identified numerous gaps in Foster's evidence which are certainly adequate to support the agency's decision. The superior court correctly affirmed the DNR decision, and we AFFIRM.