The Planning Department regulates material extraction activities (aka gravel pits) throughout the borough, and serves several purposes:
- Provide a land use permitting process to regulate the operation, scope, and duration of gravel pits
- Promote compatible, orderly development
- Promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of the borough
- Promote the health of aquatic systems that support salmon
Our Material Site Management Program is based out of the River Center, which serves as the main hub for KPB's zoning and permitting matters, including material site permits. Please visit or contact the River Center to inquire about a material site permit.
Material Site Designations:
Material sites are categorized by size and use:
| Permit Type: | Acreage: | Permit Fees: |
| Registration | 0 - 1 acres | None |
| Counter Permit | 0 - 5 acres | $250 |
| Conditional Land Use Permit | 5+ acres | $1000 |
Endorsements:
- Type I Endorsement - Earth Materials Extraction. A Type I Endorsement is required for any earth materials excavation or extraction which disturbs 5 or more cumulative acres.
- Type II Endorsement - Earth Materials Conditioning or Processing. A Type II Endorsement is required for any operation that includes earth materials conditioning or processing activities. Processing does not include consolidated material initial fracturing.
- Type III Endorsement - Earth Materials Extraction Within Water Table. A Type III Endorsement is required for operations of any size that excavate or extract earth materials within two feet of the seasonal high-water table. The requirements and conditions in KPB 21.29.050 and KPB 21.29.057 apply to a Type III Endorsement.
- Type IV Endorsement - Consolidated Material Extraction. A Type IV Endorsement is required for operations of any size that will require extraction of consolidated material, aka quarries.
Permit Not Required:
- Material extraction less than one acre per parcel does not require a permit, but must be registered
- Material extraction taking place on dewatered bars within the confines of the Snow River and the streams within the Seward-Bear Creek Flood Service Area
- A Prior-Existing Use (PEU) material site
- Material extraction for a development on the same property
Information about material sites on borough-owned land can be found by visiting Land Management's Material Site Information page.
Forms:
Alaska DEC Gravel Extraction Best Management Practices
Alaska DNR Reclamation Plan Form
KPB Chapter 21.29 Material Site Permits
Material Site Permit Application (for all material sites, renewals, and modifications)
Material Site Reclamation Plan