Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority

History and Background: In 1956, Congress established the Alaska Mental Health Land Trust, which granted Alaska the right to select 1,000,000 acres of federal land to provide a reliable funding source for mental health services in Alaska. In 1978, the Alaska Legislature re-designated Trust Lands as general state lands. Concerned beneficiaries filed a lawsuit demanding that the lands be returned to their original status, managed as intended by the 1956 Law. In 1994, the court approved a settlement of the litigation and the legislature passed a law that effectively re-established the Trust. Regulations provide for Trust Land to be managed under trust principles: 

What Makes Up the Alaska Mental Health Trust?
1. Board of Trustees Seven trustees appointed by the Governor, responsible for making the Trust work for the beneficiaries
2. Trust Authority Office Protects and enhances Trust Assets to provide leadership and support of mental health services which improve the lives of the beneficiaries
3. Trust Land Office at DNR
Actively manages Trust land resources on behalf of the Trust Authority to maximize long-term revenue and protect Trust land value

www.mhtrustland.org

Marty Rutherford, Executive Director, Trust Land Office
phone: (907) 269-8661

Doug Campbell, Senior Resource Manager, Timber
Email: douglas_campbell@dnr.state.ak.us
phone: 907-269-8688

The Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Office
718 L Street, Suite 202
Anchorage, AK 99501
MHTLO@dnr.state.ak.us
phone: 907-269-8658
fax 907-269-8905