The chief executive office of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation provides agency direction and administration and is policy liaison with the Governor's Office and Legislature.

Governor Sarah Palin appoints Larry Hartig as DEC Commissioner

Department Policy:
To conserve, improve, and protect its natural resources and environment and control water, land, and air pollution, in order to enhance the health, safety, and welfare of the people of the state and their overall economic and social well being.

Primary services:
  Provides policy direction for the department, and relentless coordination of investment and   service delivery,
  Ensures that public concerns are fully considered in department decisions and actions,
  Establishes department objectives and assures performance,
  Serves as spokesperson for the Governor on environmental matters,
  Serves as judge for administrative appeals,
  Adopts all department regulations.

Fundamental Elements of DEC's Regulatory Programs:
  1. Unambiguous statutory authority
  2. Documented basis for concern
  3. Protective standards
  4. Rational regulatory scheme
  5. Documented compliance
  6. Enforcement

Department of Environmental Conservation
410 Willoughby Ave., Ste 303
P.O. Box 111800
Juneau, AK 99811-1800
Telephone: (907) 465-5066
Fax Number: (907) 465-5070

Commissioner Biography:

Mr. Hartig is an attorney with more than 20 years experience in environmental law, regulations, permits and land use issues. Prior to his appointment in 2007 by Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation, he was in private practice as an attorney with the Anchorage law firm of Hartig Rhodes Hoge & Lekisch, PC. Joining the firm in 1983, Mr. Hartig worked primarily on environmental, natural resources, and commercial matters. His practice included assisting clients in obtaining environmental and other permits for natural resource development projects, as well as projects involving environmental compliance, and cleanup of contaminated properties. Clients included government, private developers, industry and Native Corporations, among others. He also worked as a landman in the Land/Legal Department of Alyeska Pipeline Service Company between 1972 and 1976.

Mr. Hartig has a B.A. from the University of Utah and received his J.D. from Lewis and Clark College . He is a member of the Alaska Bar Association, and a former member of the State Board of Forestry.

Deputy Commissioner Biography:[Return to Top]

Mr. Easton is a registered professional engineer with 30 years of experience in environmental engineering and sciences. He has held a number of positions with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. Prior to his appointment as Deputy Commissioner, he served as Director of the Division of Water. Mr. Easton also has over 10 years of experience as a consulting engineer in private practice.

Mr. Easton has lived in Alaska since 1981. He holds a Bachelors of Engineering Degree from the University of Maryland and a Masters of Civil Engineering Degree from the George Washington University .