Press Release

Trial will resume between Ahtna and the State over Klutina Lake Road (aka Brenwick-Craig Road)

September 7, 2017

(Anchorage, AK) – After taking extensive public comment on the proposed settlement agreement in the litigation over Klutina Lake Road (officially named Brenwick-Craig Road), settlement negotiations between Ahtna, Inc. and the State have failed. Ahtna, Inc.’s Board of Directors voted to disapprove the proposed settlement.

“I am disappointed that the board was unwilling to come back to the table to see if we could negotiate the final terms of a settlement,” said Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth. “The State has always aimed to preserve public access to the greatest extent possible—whether through settlement or litigation. With Ahtna’s decision, we will now focus our efforts on the litigation.”

On August 30, 2017, the State concluded a 45-day comment period. The State received over 400 written comments and conducted five public meetings with attendance ranging between 25 and 50 people at each meeting. The State was still reviewing all the comments when it was informed of the actions taken by the Ahtna board.

The proposed settlement agreement had also included provisions regarding the Gulkana River boat launch access and surrounding lands. The State and Gulkana Village Council will continue to consider potential actions to preserve boat access while also protecting the historic cemetery and townsite of Gulkana Village.

The next step in the litigation will be for the parties to submit a status report to superior court by October 31, 2017. A new trial date will be scheduled by the court.

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Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at sam.curtis@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6269.