Alaska Online Public Notices #ADL 234663

Alaska DNR 10-Year Aquatic Farm Lease for Kelp Cultivation near Ketchikan

This opportunity involves a proposed 10-year aquatic farm lease by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for commercial kelp cultivation near Ketchikan, Alaska. - Government Buyer: - Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Mining, Land and Water, Southcentral Regional Land Office - Project Overview: - 10-year lease for 102 acres of state-owned tidal and submerged lands in Felice Strait, near Mary Island, southeast of Ketchikan - Commercial cultivation and harvest of four kelp species: giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima), ribbon kelp (Alaria marginata), and bull kelp (Nereocystis leutkeana) - Submerged longline culture system designed in partnership with Kelson Marine (marine engineering firm) - All gear (moorings, anchor chains, floats, growlines, weights) remains in place year-round - No support facilities or personnel housing allowed on state lands; all processing and storage offsite near Ketchikan - Products/Equipment Requested: - 6 steel high-scope drag embedment moorings (10,000–30,000 lbs each) - 6 steel anchor chains (3.27-inch diameter) - 6 fiber rope anchor lines (3.78-inch diameter, e.g., UHMWPE) - 6 polyethylene foam corner floats (13.1 ft diameter) - 6 plastic tensioning floats (9.25 gallons) - 6 fiber rope tensioning float tethers (1.1-inch diameter) - 2 header lines (fiber rope, 3.78-inch diameter) - 58 inner growlines (fiber rope, .87-inch diameter) - 2 edge growlines (fiber rope, .87-inch diameter) - 300 growline floats (26.4-gallon polyethylene shell, foam-filled) - 300 concrete weights (252 lbs each) - 300 growline float tethers (fiber rope, .87-inch diameter) - 1 traverse set line (fiber rope, 3.78-inch diameter) - Services: - Year-round kelp outplanting, monitoring, maintenance, and harvesting - Notable Requirements: - $10,200 performance bond and $10,083 annual lease fee - Minimum annual commercial sales required by year five - All subleases require prior DNR approval; lease transfer/assignment subject to DNR approval - Seedstock must be sourced from approved Alaskan suppliers (e.g., Mothers of Millions, Lexa Meyer, Oceans Alaska) - Project subject to agency and public review - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific OEMs for equipment named; farm design in partnership with Kelson Marine (marine engineering) - Seedstock suppliers: Mothers of Millions, Lexa Meyer, Oceans Alaska

Description

This solicitation is for a 10-year aquatic farm lease of approximately 102 acres of state-owned tidal and submerged lands located in Felice Strait, near Mary Island, Alaska. The lease is intended for the commercial growth and harvest of four species of kelp: giant kelp, sugar kelp, ribbon kelp, and bull kelp. The project involves installation and maintenance of submerged longline culture systems and year-round operations including outplanting, monitoring, and harvesting. Equipment storage and processing will occur on private property near Ketchikan, with no support facilities on the lease site. Public comments are invited until June 24, 2026.

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