# What's Dated in the Houston Land Transfer and What Isn't

> Alaska's Houston land transfer has a date for the lawsuit and the inauguration but not for the day 19,950 acres change hands.

Published 2026-10-27 by Alaska AI. 9 slides.
Canonical: https://alaskaaihq.com/archive/2026-10-27/

## The story

The decision could beat December 7th. The handoff likely won't.

"Certainly possible."

He told senators "using our land for development has been the governor's priority." Surveying, the appeal period and the lawsuit would likely carry the transfer past December 7th, ADN reported.

A lawsuit cites seven sections of the constitution.

Eric Forrer and David Eastman sued the State, DNR and Governor Dunleavy. AIDEA isn't a named party. "We sued just to stop him," Forrer told the Mat-Su Sentinel.

The State's 40 days start only at service.

DNR hadn't been served when the Mat-Su Sentinel asked.

A decision isn't a deed.

If DNR approves, survey, plat, title and closing must be completed before any conveyance. On October 8th AIDEA's Randy Ruaro told lawmakers no developer, tenant, power source or site plan exists, KTUU reported.

19,950 acres.

More than 2,000 people can ask DNR to reconsider.

Only people who sent timely written comment can appeal DNR's Final Finding and Decision. Comments closed September 14th, and DNR is still reviewing them, ADN reported.

What has a date, and what doesn't.

December 7th ends a term. It doesn't survey 19,950 acres.

Save this for the day DNR's Final Finding lands.

## What we verified

- Eric Forrer and David Eastman filed their complaint against the land transfer on October 22nd, 2026. [Forrer and Eastman v. State of Alaska, complaint (Superior Court, Juneau)](https://davideastman.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/COMPLAINT-Eastman-Forrer-v.-State-of-Alaska-et-al-DNR-Land-Transfer-to-AIDEA-October-22-2026.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- The suit was filed in the Superior Court for the State of Alaska, First Judicial District at Juneau. [Forrer and Eastman v. State of Alaska, complaint (Superior Court, Juneau)](https://davideastman.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/COMPLAINT-Eastman-Forrer-v.-State-of-Alaska-et-al-DNR-Land-Transfer-to-AIDEA-October-22-2026.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- The case number is 1JU-26-01019 Civil. [Forrer and Eastman v. State of Alaska, complaint (Superior Court, Juneau)](https://davideastman.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/COMPLAINT-Eastman-Forrer-v.-State-of-Alaska-et-al-DNR-Land-Transfer-to-AIDEA-October-22-2026.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- The defendants are the State of Alaska, its Department of Natural Resources, and Governor Michael J. Dunleavy in his official capacity. [Forrer and Eastman v. State of Alaska, complaint (Superior Court, Juneau)](https://davideastman.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/COMPLAINT-Eastman-Forrer-v.-State-of-Alaska-et-al-DNR-Land-Transfer-to-AIDEA-October-22-2026.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- Juneau attorney Joseph W. Geldhof filed the complaint for the plaintiffs. [Forrer and Eastman v. State of Alaska, complaint (Superior Court, Juneau)](https://davideastman.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/COMPLAINT-Eastman-Forrer-v.-State-of-Alaska-et-al-DNR-Land-Transfer-to-AIDEA-October-22-2026.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- The complaint says the transfer violates seven sections of the Alaska Constitution, namely Art. I Sec. 7, Art. VIII Secs. 2, 9, 10 and 17, and Art. IX Secs. 6 and 7. [Forrer and Eastman v. State of Alaska, complaint (Superior Court, Juneau)](https://davideastman.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/COMPLAINT-Eastman-Forrer-v.-State-of-Alaska-et-al-DNR-Land-Transfer-to-AIDEA-October-22-2026.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- The land DNR proposes to convey is approximately 19,950 acres of state-owned land in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. [Forrer and Eastman v. State of Alaska, complaint (Superior Court, Juneau)](https://davideastman.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/COMPLAINT-Eastman-Forrer-v.-State-of-Alaska-et-al-DNR-Land-Transfer-to-AIDEA-October-22-2026.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- The parcel lies approximately two miles north of Houston, Alaska. [Forrer and Eastman v. State of Alaska, complaint (Superior Court, Juneau)](https://davideastman.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/COMPLAINT-Eastman-Forrer-v.-State-of-Alaska-et-al-DNR-Land-Transfer-to-AIDEA-October-22-2026.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- The parcel sits within Township 18 North and Township 19 North of the Seward Meridian. [Forrer and Eastman v. State of Alaska, complaint (Superior Court, Juneau)](https://davideastman.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/COMPLAINT-Eastman-Forrer-v.-State-of-Alaska-et-al-DNR-Land-Transfer-to-AIDEA-October-22-2026.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- The complaint says DNR floated possible uses including data centers, advanced manufacturing, logistics hubs, utility development and gravel extraction. [Forrer and Eastman v. State of Alaska, complaint (Superior Court, Juneau)](https://davideastman.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/COMPLAINT-Eastman-Forrer-v.-State-of-Alaska-et-al-DNR-Land-Transfer-to-AIDEA-October-22-2026.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- The complaint alleges a complete lack of analysis of the power and energy the development would require. [Forrer and Eastman v. State of Alaska, complaint (Superior Court, Juneau)](https://davideastman.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/COMPLAINT-Eastman-Forrer-v.-State-of-Alaska-et-al-DNR-Land-Transfer-to-AIDEA-October-22-2026.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- The complaint names three local bodies that voted to oppose the transfer, the Mat-Su Borough Assembly, the Houston City Council and the Meadow Lakes Community Council. [Forrer and Eastman v. State of Alaska, complaint (Superior Court, Juneau)](https://davideastman.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/COMPLAINT-Eastman-Forrer-v.-State-of-Alaska-et-al-DNR-Land-Transfer-to-AIDEA-October-22-2026.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- The complaint says transferring the land to AIDEA without legislative authorization violates the separation of powers. [Forrer and Eastman v. State of Alaska, complaint (Superior Court, Juneau)](https://davideastman.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/COMPLAINT-Eastman-Forrer-v.-State-of-Alaska-et-al-DNR-Land-Transfer-to-AIDEA-October-22-2026.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- The plaintiffs ask for an injunction barring DNR from transferring the land without a finding of legitimate public purpose and legislative authorization. [Forrer and Eastman v. State of Alaska, complaint (Superior Court, Juneau)](https://davideastman.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/COMPLAINT-Eastman-Forrer-v.-State-of-Alaska-et-al-DNR-Land-Transfer-to-AIDEA-October-22-2026.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- The summons gives the State 40 days after receiving it to file an answer. [Forrer and Eastman v. State of Alaska, complaint (Superior Court, Juneau)](https://davideastman.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/COMPLAINT-Eastman-Forrer-v.-State-of-Alaska-et-al-DNR-Land-Transfer-to-AIDEA-October-22-2026.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- Plaintiff Eric Forrer is a former University of Alaska regent who lives in Juneau. [Forrer and Eastman v. State of Alaska, complaint (Superior Court, Juneau)](https://davideastman.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/COMPLAINT-Eastman-Forrer-v.-State-of-Alaska-et-al-DNR-Land-Transfer-to-AIDEA-October-22-2026.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- The proposed conveyance rests on AS 38.05.810(a), the public and charitable use statute. [Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA)](https://www.aidea.org/Portals/0/AIDEA_Houston_Land_Fact_Sheet.pdf), primary document, 2026-07-01.
- AIDEA would make no payment for the value of the land but would cover administrative, survey, platting and closing costs. [Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA)](https://www.aidea.org/Portals/0/AIDEA_Houston_Land_Fact_Sheet.pdf), primary document, 2026-07-01.
- DNR proposes to waive the state's statutory reversionary interest in the land. [Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA)](https://www.aidea.org/Portals/0/AIDEA_Houston_Land_Fact_Sheet.pdf), primary document, 2026-07-01.
- The state would keep the mineral estate, including oil, gas, coal and geothermal resources. [Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA)](https://www.aidea.org/Portals/0/AIDEA_Houston_Land_Fact_Sheet.pdf), primary document, 2026-07-01.
- AIDEA's fact sheet says no specific end use has been definitively selected for the land. [Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA)](https://www.aidea.org/Portals/0/AIDEA_Houston_Land_Fact_Sheet.pdf), primary document, 2026-07-01.
- The fact sheet lists illustrative uses including rail-served logistics, utility, energy and technology infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and workforce housing. [Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA)](https://www.aidea.org/Portals/0/AIDEA_Houston_Land_Fact_Sheet.pdf), primary document, 2026-07-01.
- DNR must issue a Final Finding and Decision, and if it approves, survey, plat, title and closing steps must be completed before any conveyance. [Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA)](https://www.aidea.org/Portals/0/AIDEA_Houston_Land_Fact_Sheet.pdf), primary document, 2026-07-01.
- DNR published the public notice on July 10th, 2026; written comment, first due August 19th, was extended to September 14th, 2026. [Alaska DNR Online Public Notices, extension notice, ADL 234762](https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=224879), primary document, 2026-08-19.
- Only people who sent DNR timely written comment during the comment period can appeal the Final Finding and Decision. [Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Online Public Notices](https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=224431), primary document, 2026-07-10.
- NOAA's Alaska Fisheries Science Center holds an archive of 2.5 million otolith pairs dating back to the 1960s. [NOAA Fisheries](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/25-million-perfect-little-time-capsules-ocean-chemistry), primary document, 2026-09-28.
- The otoliths in the archive come from 83 species. [NOAA Fisheries](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/25-million-perfect-little-time-capsules-ocean-chemistry), primary document, 2026-09-28.
- NOAA scientists use Fourier Transform Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to streamline fish aging. [NOAA Fisheries](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/25-million-perfect-little-time-capsules-ocean-chemistry), primary document, 2026-09-28.
- Machine learning algorithms correlate the otoliths' near-infrared spectral signatures directly to fish age. [NOAA Fisheries](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/25-million-perfect-little-time-capsules-ocean-chemistry), primary document, 2026-09-28.
- NOAA says FT-NIR increases fish aging efficiency by 600 to 800 percent. [NOAA Fisheries](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/25-million-perfect-little-time-capsules-ocean-chemistry), primary document, 2026-09-28.
- Acting AFSC Director Jamal Moss wrote that the center couples FT-NIR with trained machine learning models to read otolith rings. [NOAA Fisheries](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/leadership-message/2026-fisheries-assessment-process-conversation-acting-alaska-fisheries-science-center), primary document, 2026-10-07.
- Moss wrote that the more fish the center ages, the more accurate the data used in stock assessments. [NOAA Fisheries](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/leadership-message/2026-fisheries-assessment-process-conversation-acting-alaska-fisheries-science-center), primary document, 2026-10-07.
- Forrer said of the suit, "We sued just to stop him.". [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/lawsuit-argues-houston-area-land-transfer-violates-state-constitution/), report, 2026-10-26.
- Forrer called the lawsuit a roadblock and a boulder in the road. [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/lawsuit-argues-houston-area-land-transfer-violates-state-constitution/), report, 2026-10-26.
- Forrer said the suit aims to stop Dunleavy from advancing the transfer before he leaves office in early December. [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/lawsuit-argues-houston-area-land-transfer-violates-state-constitution/), report, 2026-10-26.
- Forrer said a 2018 suit he brought against a bond plan to pay oil tax credits ended with an Alaska Supreme Court ruling in his favor in September 2020. [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/lawsuit-argues-houston-area-land-transfer-violates-state-constitution/), report, 2026-10-26.
- Forrer said the dispute is not a right or left issue. [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/lawsuit-argues-houston-area-land-transfer-violates-state-constitution/), report, 2026-10-26.
- DNR declined to comment on the suit because it had not yet been served. [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/lawsuit-argues-houston-area-land-transfer-violates-state-constitution/), report, 2026-10-26.
- AIDEA is not a named party in the suit. [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/lawsuit-argues-houston-area-land-transfer-violates-state-constitution/), report, 2026-10-26.
- The Mat-Su Sentinel reports four local bodies have passed resolutions opposing the transfer, adding the Willow Area Community Organization to the three the complaint names. [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/lawsuit-argues-houston-area-land-transfer-violates-state-constitution/), report, 2026-10-26.
- Reporting describes the parcel as 30 square miles of land abutting Houston, Willow and Meadow Lakes. [Mat-Su Sentinel](https://www.matsusentinel.com/lawsuit-argues-houston-area-land-transfer-violates-state-constitution/), report, 2026-10-26.
- DNR Commissioner John Crowther appeared before the Senate Resources Committee after its members voted to subpoena him. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2026/10/26/decision-on-land-transfer-for-mat-su-industrial-park-could-come-before-new-governor-is-sworn-in/), report, 2026-10-26.
- Crowther testified on Monday, October 26th. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2026/10/26/decision-on-land-transfer-for-mat-su-industrial-park-could-come-before-new-governor-is-sworn-in/), report, 2026-10-26.
- Crowther said it was certainly possible the transfer could be approved before a new governor is sworn in. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2026/10/26/decision-on-land-transfer-for-mat-su-industrial-park-could-come-before-new-governor-is-sworn-in/), report, 2026-10-26.
- A new governor is sworn in on December 7th. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2026/10/26/decision-on-land-transfer-for-mat-su-industrial-park-could-come-before-new-governor-is-sworn-in/), report, 2026-10-26.
- Crowther said several steps will likely stretch the process beyond the inauguration and into the next governor's term. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2026/10/26/decision-on-land-transfer-for-mat-su-industrial-park-could-come-before-new-governor-is-sworn-in/), report, 2026-10-26.
- The steps Crowther named include surveying the site and an appeal period. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2026/10/26/decision-on-land-transfer-for-mat-su-industrial-park-could-come-before-new-governor-is-sworn-in/), report, 2026-10-26.
- Crowther also pointed to the ongoing lawsuit as a step that could prolong the process. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2026/10/26/decision-on-land-transfer-for-mat-su-industrial-park-could-come-before-new-governor-is-sworn-in/), report, 2026-10-26.
- DNR received more than 2,000 public comments on the transfer, which are still under review. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2026/10/26/decision-on-land-transfer-for-mat-su-industrial-park-could-come-before-new-governor-is-sworn-in/), report, 2026-10-26.
- Anyone among the more than 2,000 commenters has standing during the appeal period to ask that the transfer be reconsidered. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2026/10/26/decision-on-land-transfer-for-mat-su-industrial-park-could-come-before-new-governor-is-sworn-in/), report, 2026-10-26.
- Crowther said using state land for development has been the governor's priority. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2026/10/26/decision-on-land-transfer-for-mat-su-industrial-park-could-come-before-new-governor-is-sworn-in/), report, 2026-10-26.
- Earlier this year the Dunleavy administration changed a state regulation to allow a broader interpretation of what counts as a public purpose. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2026/10/26/decision-on-land-transfer-for-mat-su-industrial-park-could-come-before-new-governor-is-sworn-in/), report, 2026-10-26.
- Senate Resources Chair Cathy Giessel obtained DNR records on internal deliberations through a records request, and they were released with heavy redactions. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2026/10/26/decision-on-land-transfer-for-mat-su-industrial-park-could-come-before-new-governor-is-sworn-in/), report, 2026-10-26.
- Giessel said, "We are concerned that this is being urgently executed.". [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2026/10/26/decision-on-land-transfer-for-mat-su-industrial-park-could-come-before-new-governor-is-sworn-in/), report, 2026-10-26.
- Sen. Bill Wielechowski said the broad reading of public purpose creates a giant loophole for AIDEA. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2026/10/26/decision-on-land-transfer-for-mat-su-industrial-park-could-come-before-new-governor-is-sworn-in/), report, 2026-10-26.
- Crowther told senators that what AIDEA could do with the parcel is quite broad. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2026/10/26/decision-on-land-transfer-for-mat-su-industrial-park-could-come-before-new-governor-is-sworn-in/), report, 2026-10-26.
- AIDEA's transfer application lists secure, scalable data centers among the possible uses. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2026/10/26/decision-on-land-transfer-for-mat-su-industrial-park-could-come-before-new-governor-is-sworn-in/), report, 2026-10-26.
- A nonpartisan legislative attorney wrote a memo in September advising that the transfer may not be allowed under Alaska law. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2026/10/26/decision-on-land-transfer-for-mat-su-industrial-park-could-come-before-new-governor-is-sworn-in/), report, 2026-10-26.
- Governor Dunleavy is term limited and cannot run for reelection. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2026/10/26/decision-on-land-transfer-for-mat-su-industrial-park-could-come-before-new-governor-is-sworn-in/), report, 2026-10-26.
- Republican candidate Dave Bronson said he was generally supportive of the transfer but noted DNR could scale down the 20,000 acres in its final approval. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2026/10/26/decision-on-land-transfer-for-mat-su-industrial-park-could-come-before-new-governor-is-sworn-in/), report, 2026-10-26.
- Republican candidate Treg Taylor said he fully supports the transfer. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2026/10/26/decision-on-land-transfer-for-mat-su-industrial-park-could-come-before-new-governor-is-sworn-in/), report, 2026-10-26.
- Bernadette Wilson's campaign did not respond and Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins could not be reached about the transfer. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2026/10/26/decision-on-land-transfer-for-mat-su-industrial-park-could-come-before-new-governor-is-sworn-in/), report, 2026-10-26.
- The Senate Resources Committee voted on Wednesday October 14th to subpoena Crowther, and he was set to appear at a hearing on October 26th. [Alaska Public Media](https://alaskapublic.org/news/politics/alaska-legislature/2026-10-15/dnr-commissioner-will-appear-at-hearing-on-land-transfer-after-state-senate-subpoena), report, 2026-10-15.
- AIDEA Executive Director Randy Ruaro testified on October 8th that no developer, tenant, power source or site plan exists for the land. [Alaska's News Source (KTUU)](https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/10/15/senators-subpoena-dnr-commissioner-over-aidea-land-transfer/), report, 2026-10-14.
- Ruaro called the rumored data center implausible because there is no excess energy supply. [Alaska's News Source (KTUU)](https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/10/15/senators-subpoena-dnr-commissioner-over-aidea-land-transfer/), report, 2026-10-14.
- Giessel estimated the land is worth roughly $14 million a year in forgone revenue. [Alaska's News Source (KTUU)](https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/10/15/senators-subpoena-dnr-commissioner-over-aidea-land-transfer/), report, 2026-10-14.
- Giessel said the University of Alaska charges a private Mat-Su developer $586,740 a year to lease 829 acres. [Alaska's News Source (KTUU)](https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/10/15/senators-subpoena-dnr-commissioner-over-aidea-land-transfer/), report, 2026-10-14.
- KTNA reports the Houston City Council and Meadow Lakes Community Council voted unanimously in July to oppose the transfer. [KTNA via Alaska Public Media](https://alaskapublic.org/news/economy/energy/2026-10-19/residents-worry-that-a-proposed-land-transfer-near-houston-could-open-the-door-to-data-centers), report, 2026-10-19.
- Willow resident Ramey Smyth said the community needs air and water, which data centers are scheduled to contaminate. [KTNA via Alaska Public Media](https://alaskapublic.org/news/economy/energy/2026-10-19/residents-worry-that-a-proposed-land-transfer-near-houston-could-open-the-door-to-data-centers), report, 2026-10-19.
- In September Bernadette Wilson said she would never allow Alaska to be littered with hyperscale data centers. [Alaska Beacon via Alaska Public Media](https://alaskapublic.org/news/politics/elections/2026-09-21/where-do-alaskas-four-governor-candidates-stand-on-data-centers), report, 2026-09-21.
- In September Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins said he supports a moratorium on data center development in Alaska. [Alaska Beacon via Alaska Public Media](https://alaskapublic.org/news/politics/elections/2026-09-21/where-do-alaskas-four-governor-candidates-stand-on-data-centers), report, 2026-09-21.
- The Petersburg Borough Assembly voted 6-0 on October 5th to have the borough manager draft an ordinance for a nine-month moratorium on certain data center development. [Petersburg Pilot](https://www.petersburgpilot.com/story/2026/10/15/news/assembly-starts-work-on-data-center-moratorium-zoning-rules/16144.html), report, 2026-10-15.
- In a second 6-0 vote Petersburg directed the manager to draft Title 19 zoning amendments that address data centers. [Petersburg Pilot](https://www.petersburgpilot.com/story/2026/10/15/news/assembly-starts-work-on-data-center-moratorium-zoning-rules/16144.html), report, 2026-10-15.
- Neither Petersburg vote takes effect until the moratorium and zoning changes return as ordinances and pass three readings. [Petersburg Pilot](https://www.petersburgpilot.com/story/2026/10/15/news/assembly-starts-work-on-data-center-moratorium-zoning-rules/16144.html), report, 2026-10-15.
- Sitka city staff proposed a zoning code amendment that would define data centers and allow them by conditional use permit in five zoning districts. [Daily Sitka Sentinel](https://www.sitkasentinel.com/stories/data-center-control-new-issue-for-sitka,180116), report, 2026-10-20.
- Four Sitkans had submitted comments on the amendment, and three asked for an outright ban on data center development. [Daily Sitka Sentinel](https://www.sitkasentinel.com/stories/data-center-control-new-issue-for-sitka,180116), report, 2026-10-20.
- The Sitka Planning Commission recommended prohibiting the construction of data centers, at least for now. [KTOO](https://www.ktoo.org/2026/10/27/newscast-tuesday-oct-27-2026/), report, 2026-10-27.
- The Wrangell Borough Assembly unanimously voted down a land lease for a privately run data center on June 9th. [KSTK (Wrangell Sentinel)](https://www.kstk.org/2026/06/18/wrangell-borough-assembly-votes-no-on-data-center-proposal), report, 2026-06-18.
- The rejected Wrangell application came from Greensparc, which sought to build a 10,000-square-foot facility. [KSTK (Wrangell Sentinel)](https://www.kstk.org/2026/06/18/wrangell-borough-assembly-votes-no-on-data-center-proposal), report, 2026-06-18.

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