Trustees for Alaska, Alaska Center for the Environment v. Gorsuch

OPINION

COMPTON, Justice.

This appeal challenges several aspects of a decision by the Commissioner of Natural Resources (commissioner) to issue a surface coal mining and reclamation operations permit under the Alaska Surface Coal Mining Control and Reclamation Act (ASCMCRA), AS 27.21.010-.999. We affirm the commissioner’s decision in part, reverse in part and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Any person who conducts a surface coal mining and reclamation operation in Alaska must obtain a permit issued under ASCMC-RA. AS 27.21.060(a).…