Bolthole Index

North Slope Borough, Alaska

Building permits, zoning and land rules in North Slope Borough, Alaska

30Index Score / 100
#24 of 30 in Alaska

North Slope Borough, Alaska requires a Borough land-use permit for residential development and construction in its village zoning districts1. Form 700 serves the villages other than Utqiagvik, while Utqiagvik uses Form 8001. Septic oversight comes from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, and the approval path depends on the proposed wastewater system23.

At a glance

Residential building permit
Borough land-use permit required in village zoning districts1
Zoning
Administered throughout the Borough; district standards vary by location4
Permit applications
Electronic submission required through the Borough portal5
Septic
Alaska DEC administers onsite-wastewater requirements2
RV or tiny-home living
Not confirmed; ask the Land Management Regulation Division about the specific parcel and district4
Owner-builder exemption
Not confirmed by an official Borough source6
Late permit applications
Listed Borough permit fee is doubled after development or use has begun7

Who to call

Planning & zoning

North Slope Borough Land Management Regulation Division

Borough planning and zoning, land-use permits, subdivisions and electronic planning-permit applications

(907) 852-0320

[email protected]

P.O. Box 69, Utqiagvik, AK 99723

Online permits →

Septic permits

Alaska DEC Engineering Support and Plan Review

State onsite-wastewater plan review and construction notifications

907-451-2177

[email protected]

610 University Ave., Fairbanks, AK 99709

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in North Slope Borough, Alaska?

Yes, for the residential work covered by the Borough's village-district program. North Slope Borough requires permits for development and use of residential property in Point Hope, Point Lay, Wainwright, Atqasuk, Nuiqsut, Anaktuvuk Pass, Kaktovik and Utqiagvik1. Form 700 applies in the listed villages other than Utqiagvik, and Form 800 applies in Utqiagvik1. Most residential permits involving construction are processed as development/use permits1. The available official material establishes a land-use permit, but it does not confirm a Borough structural building code, a general construction-inspection requirement or a separate certificate-of-occupancy requirement. Ask the Land Management Regulation Division what reviews and inspections apply to the exact project before ordering materials8.

Who is the North Slope Borough building department?

The practical first stop is the North Slope Borough Land Management Regulation Division, which handles planning and zoning and provides the residential permit forms48. Planning permit applications must be filed electronically through the North Slope AK Portal8. The office lists a permit-submittal email and a central telephone number for help with the forms8. A typical residential village application may go through completeness review, a draft permit, public review and a decision; the Borough gives a typical decision period of about 40 days when all required information has arrived5. An elevated application may take 60–90 days because it includes a 30-day public review and a Planning Commission hearing5. Applications filed after development or use begins face twice the listed permit fee7.

Does North Slope Borough have zoning?

Yes. The Land Management Regulation Division administers North Slope Borough's planning and zoning ordinances, and the applicable zoning district and permit standards vary by location4. Village-district materials say dimensional standards apply only to Barrow, now Utqiagvik, so the village guidance does not impose a building-height standard elsewhere in those districts9. That narrow statement does not settle minimum dwelling size, setbacks, RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy or manufactured-home occupancy. The Borough materials available for this guide did not confirm those parcel-level rules, so ask the Land Management Regulation Division to identify the zoning district and allowed use before relying on a small-home or temporary-living plan8. North Slope Borough also regulates subdivision activities under Title 1810.

How do septic permits work in North Slope Borough?

Alaska DEC, rather than North Slope Borough, administers domestic and onsite-wastewater regulation for the Borough, although other Borough, federal, tribal or municipal requirements can still apply2. A system qualifying for Alaska's authorization-by-rule path may proceed without prior plan approval only when it meets the prescriptive standards and separation distances; the responsible party must give DEC at least 24 hours' electronic notice before construction or modification and later submit documentation and registration11. Systems outside those categories require prior DEC approval3. Engineered systems receive construction observation by the responsible engineer, followed by certification and record drawings for DEC review12. Only about 4.9% of local soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so start the site evaluation early and be prepared for an engineered or alternative design13.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in North Slope Borough?

North Slope Borough has zoning, but the available official material does not confirm a general rule allowing or prohibiting long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping on private land, or tiny-home occupancy4. Ask the Land Management Regulation Division about the specific parcel, zoning district, proposed duration and utility arrangement before buying or moving a unit onto the site8. Do not apply Alaska's state-land camping rule to private land: that rule concerns camps on state-owned land, where a noncommercial camp remaining in one location for more than 14 days needs a DNR permit and must be removable within 48 hours14. A tiny home used as a residence may still fall within the Borough's residential development and use permitting program in a village zoning district1.

Building a home in North Slope Borough: what are the steps?

  1. Ask the Land Management Regulation Division to identify the parcel's zoning district and the correct residential form8.
  2. Prepare the site information and submit the Borough planning application electronically through the North Slope AK Portal8.
  3. File before any development or use begins, because a late application doubles the listed Borough permit fee7.
  4. Arrange a septic site evaluation and determine whether the proposed system qualifies for authorization by rule or needs prior DEC plan approval3.
  5. Send the required DEC construction notification at least 24 hours before work on a qualifying authorization-by-rule system11.
  6. If the project is residential housing no larger than a three-plex, it is exempt from the separate State Fire Marshal plan-review requirement; covered commercial and other work must receive state approval before construction15.

What should you check before buying land in North Slope Borough?

Start with legal ownership and land status: about 68.7% of North Slope Borough is federal land, so a listing's access and development rights deserve careful document review16. Confirm the zoning district, allowed use and subdivision history with the Land Management Regulation Division before closing410. Investigate wastewater feasibility early because only about 4.9% of soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field13. Ask the relevant community which floodplain ordinance and permit office apply; participating Alaska communities require development permits in the floodplain, but the available material does not establish the local administrator for every North Slope parcel17. The Borough has about 10,603 residents at roughly 0.1 person per square mile, which makes parcel-specific access, utilities and service availability especially important to confirm directly1819.

Watch-outs

  • Do not begin development while waiting to apply: North Slope Borough doubles the listed permit fee for an application filed after development or use has begun7.
  • A Borough land-use permit is not the same thing as confirmed structural-code review; the available official sources do not establish a Borough structural building code or general residential inspection schedule, so ask the Land Management Regulation Division what applies to the project8.
  • Conventional septic feasibility is unusually constrained: only about 4.9% of North Slope Borough soils are rated without severe drain-field limitations13.

Sources

  1. Form 700 Village District Residential Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  2. Domestic Wastewater, quoted and re-checked
  3. Engineered Wastewater Disposal Systems, quoted and re-checked
  4. Land Management Regulation, quoted and re-checked
  5. Applications & Forms, quoted and re-checked
  6. (2026 county census)
  7. Applications & Forms, quoted and re-checked
  8. North Slope Borough Land Management Regulation Division (north-slope.org)
  9. Form 700 Village District Residential Permit Instructions, quoted and re-checked
  10. Land Management Regulation, quoted and re-checked
  11. Domestic Wastewater (Alaska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Engineered Wastewater Disposal Systems (Alaska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  14. Lands Section Permitting – Alaska Division of Mining, Land, and Water (Alaska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Building Plan Review – Alaska Department of Public Safety (Alaska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Federal land share: Bolthole Index county data
  17. Floodplain Management (Alaska statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. County population: Bolthole Index county data
  19. Population density: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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County locator

North Slope Borough in Alaska

30
County map
North Slope Borough highlighted among the Alaska counties · colored by Index score

How North Slope Borough scores

Seclusion90100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency749% ev.
Admin Boringness4590% ev.
Durability6374% ev.
Property Autonomy69100% ev.
Carry Cost8894% ev.

Evidence strength: 81%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$324kTypical home
0.9%Property tax
$2,296Land / acre
0% of yrsSevere drought
1.08×Wildfire change factor
FEMA-only (CMRA mid-century values unavailable)Forward climate basis
25%Forward climate coverage
state median fallbackInsurance basis
0People within 30 min
0Radius comparison (15 mi)
0.1People / sq mi
68.7%Federal land
78.5%Land at 15% slope or less
4.9%Septic soil without severe limits
2,766,475 acWorkable land screen
1.2%Wooded land

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Answers from the rulebook for North Slope Borough

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

North Slope Borough rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Residential development and construction in North Slope Borough village zoning districts, including Point Hope, Point Lay, Wainwright, Atqasuk, Nuiqsut, Anaktuvuk Pass, Kaktovik, and Utqiagvik under the applicable Borough residential permit form.

    • Form 700 applies to the listed villages except Utqiagvik; Utqiagvik uses Form 800.
    • Most residential permits involving construction are processed as Development/Use Permits.
    • Restricted property may be treated differently except where public health and safety issues are involved.
    “The NSB requires permits for developments and uses of residential properties within the North Slope Borough.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    Borough-administered planning and zoning ordinances throughout North Slope Borough.

    • Specific zoning districts and permit standards vary by location and district.
    “responsible for the administration of the Borough’s planning and zoning ordinances.”
  • Building heightNone

    Building-height standards in Village Districts.

    • This absence applies to Village Districts; dimensional standards apply only to Barrow.
    “dimensional standards apply only to Barrow”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision activities in North Slope Borough.

    • Subdivision activities are administered under Title 18.
    “managing subdivision activities under Title 18”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    North Slope Borough planning and zoning permit fees.

    • The Borough states that the January 1, 2026 schedule supersedes fee amounts in older instructions.
    • Late permit applications submitted after development or use has begun have the listed permit fee doubled.
    • A fee waiver may be available for local, state, or federal government applicants if requested.

    effective date: 2026-01-01 · late permit fee multiplier: 2 x (after a development or use has begun)

    “Each permit fee listed above is doubled for late permits”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    North Slope Borough planning permit application process.

    • Effective March 2026, NSB planning permit applications must be submitted electronically.
    • Residential village applications commonly involve completeness review, draft permit, public review, and decision.
    • Elevated applications may require Planning Commission review and a longer process.

    typical residential village decision period: 40 days (assuming all required information is received) · elevated permit period: 60-90 days (includes 30-day public review and Planning Commission hearing)

    “Effective March 2026 all NSB Planning Permit Applications must be submitted electronically”

Alaska rules that apply here

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Statewide Alaska building-code adoption, including the Alaska State Building Code formed by the listed international codes and Title 13 of the Alaska Administrative Code, Chapters 50 through 55.

    • Some boroughs may implement their own building codes.
    • The state code is the primary standard within the unorganized borough.
    • The listed codes are subject to Alaska-specific amendments in Title 13 of the Alaska Administrative Code, Chapters 50 through 55.

    International Building Code edition: 2021 · International Existing Building Code edition: 2021 · International Energy Conservation Code edition: 2018 · International Fire Code edition: 2021 · International Fuel Gas Code edition: 2021 · International Mechanical Code edition: 2021 · International Residential Code edition: 2018 · Alaska Administrative Code chapters: 50 through 55 Title 13 AAC

    “Title 13 of the Alaska Administrative Code, Chapters 50 through 55, along with the above codes, make up Alaska State Building Code.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Alaska Division of Fire and Life Safety fire inspections statewide.

    • The official state page describes scheduled and complaint-based inspections of commercial and public buildings.
    • The cited page does not establish a general statewide construction-inspection schedule for one- to three-unit residential housing.
    • Deferred jurisdictions may administer local inspection requirements separately.
    “Scheduled and complaint-based inspections of commercial and public buildings to verify compliance with fire and life safety codes statewide.”
  • Certificate of occupancyNot required

    Projects subject to Alaska State Fire Marshal plan review outside deferred local jurisdictions.

    • Occupancy is granted upon completion of construction according to the approved plans.
    • The State Fire Marshal page states that certificates of occupancy are not provided separately.
    • This claim concerns the state plan-review process and does not determine whether a deferred municipality requires its own certificate or approval.
    “Occupancy is granted upon completion of construction according to the approved plans. Certificates of occupancy are not provided separately.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Not required (with conditions) — Buildings subject to Alaska State Fire Marshal plan review.
      “Occupancy is granted upon completion of construction according to the approved plans. Certificates of occupancy are not provided separately.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Statewide identification of the authorities that may administer zoning and land-use regulation for a specific Alaska parcel; the actual zoning district map and standards remain parcel- and municipality-specific.

    • First class, second class, and home rule boroughs, including unified municipalities, provide for planning, platting, and land-use regulation, subject to the statutory and charter distinctions stated by DCRA.
    • A borough must exercise planning power on an areawide basis but may delegate planning powers and duties to a city inside the borough if the city agrees.
    • First class and home rule cities outside boroughs must provide for planning, platting, and land-use regulation; second class cities outside boroughs may provide for those powers.
    • If a municipality has not adopted a subdivision ordinance or the parcel is in an unorganized borough, DNR is the platting authority for subdivision plats; this does not by itself identify the parcel’s zoning administrator.
    • The DCRA municipal code library warns that posted ordinances are informational and not official versions.
    “The term “planning power” means the authority for planning, platting, and land use regulation as provided for in Alaska Statutes and, if applicable, home rule charter. The Alaska Statutes require that first class, second class, and home rule boroughs (including unified municipalities) provide for planning, platting, and land use regulation.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Alaska statutory framework governing when municipalities may provide planning, platting, land-use regulation, and zoning districts.
      “The Alaska Statutes require that first class, second class, and home rule boroughs (including unified municipalities) provide for planning, platting, and land use regulation.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Subdivision and conveyance of state agricultural land offered under Alaska's agricultural land disposal program; this is not established as a uniform minimum size for the initial auction parcel.

    • The covenant permits subdivision into not more than four parcels.
    • Each subdivided parcel must be not less than 40 acres.
    • A subdivided parcel may not be further subdivided.
    • The current 2026 North Fork Micro Ag offering includes initial parcels ranging from 20.03 to 45 acres, so the 40-acre rule should not be treated as a uniform initial-sale minimum.

    minimum subdivided parcel size: >= 40 acres · maximum number of subdivided parcels: <= 4 parcels

    “A perpetual covenant that permits the owner of the land, obtained under this contract, to subdivide and convey not more than four parcels of the land of not less than 40 acres each, subject to the restriction that a subdivided parcel may not be further subdivided and further subject to the limitations established within AS 38.05.321(e).”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping or an occupiable camp, structure, or facility on Alaska state-owned lands.

    • A permit is required when the camp, structure, or facility remains in the same location for more than 14 days.
    • Camps should be temporary and must be removable within 48 hours.
    • Private, non-commercial camping for less than 14 days in the same location does not require a DNR permit.
    • Commercial recreational use requires a permit when the occupiable camp, structure, or facility remains in the same location for more than 24 hours.
    • The rule applies to state-owned lands, not generally to privately owned land or municipal land.

    permit threshold for non-commercial occupiable camp: > 14 days (Private, non-commercial use for less than 14 days in the same location does not require a DNR permit.) · maximum removal period: <= 48 hours (Camps should be temporary and removable within 48 hours.) · commercial recreation permit threshold: > 24 hours (Applies to commercial recreational use.)

    “A permit is required for the use of state-owned lands to establish an occupiable camp, structure, or facility that remains in the same location for more than 14 days. Camps should be temporary in nature and must be able to be removed within 48 hours. Examples include man-camps used for construction sites, scientific research camps, and set-net support camps. A camp used for private, non-commercial purposes for less than 14-days in the same location does not require a permit from DNR.”
  • Who permits septicMixed

    Administration of statewide onsite wastewater and septic requirements.

    • The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation administers the statewide wastewater program.
    • The Municipality of Anchorage and City of Valdez have separate locally administered programs.
    • Local governments may impose additional pit-privy restrictions.
    “Certification is valid throughout the state except within the Municipality of Anchorage and the City of Valdez. Those areas have their own programs”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • State — State administration of domestic wastewater and onsite wastewater regulation applicable in North Slope Borough.
      “regulatory oversight of domestic wastewater (sewage) treatment processes in Alaska.”
  • Septic permitLimited

    Construction, installation, modification, or operation of onsite wastewater systems statewide.

    • Systems within the authorization-by-rule categories of 18 AAC 72.511 or 18 AAC 72.611 may proceed without prior plan approval if prescriptive standards and separation distances are met.
    • Those systems require electronic notice at least 24 hours before construction or modification and later documentation/registration.
    • Systems outside those categories require prior written DEC approval before construction, modification, installation, or operation.
    • Emergency repairs and routine maintenance have separate exceptions under 18 AAC 72.201 and 18 AAC 72.990.

    construction notification lead time: >= 24 hours (For systems installed without prior plan approval) · registration fee: 115 USD (For documentation of conventional and alternative systems not requiring plan approval)

    “Wastewater systems that do not meet the requirements listed in 18 AAC [...] 72.511 or 18 AAC [...] 72.611 require prior Department approval.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Onsite wastewater systems in North Slope Borough under Alaska wastewater rules.
      “Wastewater systems that do not meet the requirements listed in 18 AAC 72.511 or 18 AAC 72.611 require prior Department approval.”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Inspection and construction verification for engineered onsite wastewater systems.

    • For systems requiring engineered plan approval, the construction-observing engineer visually observes construction and materials.
    • Upon completion, the engineer submits certification of construction, record drawings, and verification of approval conditions for DEC review.
    • The sources reviewed did not establish a universal state inspection requirement for every authorization-by-rule conventional system.
    “During the construction, the engineer responsible for observing construction will visually observe the quality of construction, and the equipment and materials used for construction”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    The statutory payment requirement for the right to construct housing on agricultural parcels subdivided under Chapter 20, SLA 1997.

    • For a subdivided parcel under 640 acres, payment is generally required before exercising the housing right.
    • The DNR fact sheet states $6,349 as the 2021-dollar amount, adjusted annually; it does not state the current 2026 adjusted amount.
    • An appraisal may be used instead of the standard amount; appraisal is mandatory before subdivision of specific agricultural parcels at Point MacKenzie, and the appraiser must be approved by DNR, contact DNR before beginning, and submit the appraisal for DNR approval.
    • If each subdivided parcel is at least 640 acres, no payment is required.
    • If a subdivided parcel is conveyed to an immediate family member, payment is delayed until conveyance outside the immediate family and a lien secures payment.
    • If the original parcel was obtained under the State homestead program, Chapter 20, SLA 1997 does not require payment for subdividing.

    housing-right payment: 6349 USD in 2021 dollars (Adjusted annually; amount is not stated as the current 2026 amount in the source.) · parcel threshold for no payment: >= 640 acres (Each subdivided parcel must meet the threshold.)

    “$6,349 (current price in 2021 dollars – adjusted annually) [...] 640 acres [...] immediate family [...] homestead program”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Floodplain development activities addressed by Alaska’s official floodplain-management quick guide, including new buildings, additions, substantial improvements, manufactured homes, subdivisions, temporary and accessory structures, agricultural buildings, recreational-vehicle parking or storage, material storage, roads, bridges, culverts, fill, grading, excavation, mining, dredging, and stream-channel alterations.

    • The guide states that permits are required for all listed activities.
    • The applicable permit office and local floodplain ordinance must be confirmed with the parcel’s community; DCRA states that Alaska participates through local floodplain-management programs.
    • The guide includes local and activity-specific requirements that may impose additional conditions.
    “To participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, your community agrees to: [...] Require permits for all types of development in the floodplain (see page 17)”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Development in Alaska communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program.
      “Communities that participate in the NFIP, in addition to other requirements, agree to: [...] require permits for development within the floodplain”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rental or other property rental activity in Alaska when the operator collects rental income.

    • An Alaska business license is required for rental activity producing income.
    • Local governments or agencies may impose additional licensing requirements, local-ordinance restrictions, and sales-tax requirements.
    • This claim does not establish that a particular short-term rental use is allowed under local zoning.
    “Yes, if you are collecting rental income then you are engaged in business activity and an Alaska Business License is required.”
  • Campground & park staysLimited

    Temporary camping in developed campgrounds and designated parking areas within Chena River State Recreation Area.

    • Overnight use requires payment of a fee or an annual pass.
    • In developed campgrounds, camping is permitted only at a developed campsite.
    • The park limit is 15 consecutive days.

    maximum camping stay: 15 consecutive days · overnight-use fee or annual pass: true

    “Overnight use of a developed campsite, including designated parking areas, requires payment of a fee or an annual pass. Camping within the park is limited to 15 consecutive days thereafter. In developed campgrounds, camping is permitted only at a developed campsite.”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Alaska boroughs, which perform the county-level governmental role, adopting zoning and related land-use regulations for areas outside incorporated cities and otherwise on an areawide basis.

    • First and second class boroughs must provide planning, platting, and land-use regulation in accordance with AS 29.40.
    • Home rule boroughs must provide planning, platting, and land-use regulation but are not bound by AS 29.40 in the same manner.
    • A borough must exercise planning power on an areawide basis, including inside and outside cities, but may delegate planning powers and duties to a city inside the borough if the city agrees.
    • For first and second class boroughs, zoning and land-use permit regulations must be adopted in accordance with a legally adopted comprehensive plan.
    • In the unorganized borough, the Alaska State Legislature is the governing body with oversight of planning and zoning rather than a county-level borough assembly.
    “According to AS 29.40.040, a municipality must have a comprehensive plan in place [...] before it adopts land use regulations such as zoning and land use permits.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from Borough residential permitting.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or permanent RV occupancy.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy.
  • Manufactured homes — Manufactured-home occupancy.
5 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Driveway access

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Living off-grid in North Slope Borough, Alaska

Is North Slope Borough a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

North Slope Borough scores 30/100 on the Bolthole Index, a weak county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 0 people within a 30-minute drive and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: its water supply.

Do you need a building permit in North Slope Borough, Alaska?

North Slope Borough generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC), Division of Water. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in North Slope Borough, Alaska?

Land in North Slope Borough runs about $2,296 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in North Slope Borough?

Water data for North Slope Borough is limited.

How remote is North Slope Borough?

A typical private-land location has about 0 people within 15 miles and 776 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in North Slope Borough means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How North Slope compares in Alaska

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