Sec. 38.05.155. - Phosphates. - Alaska Statutes

(a) The commissioner may lease to qualified applicants land belonging to the state which contains deposits of phosphates and associated and related minerals, when it is in the public interest to do so. The commissioner may lease land through advertisement, competitive bidding, or other methods prescribed by regulation. The land shall be leased in units reasonably compact in form and not exceeding 2,560 acres in each unit.

(b) Each lease shall be conditioned upon the payment to the state of the royalties specified in the lease. The commissioner shall fix the royalties in advance of offering the lease. The royalties shall be not less than five percent of the gross value, at the point of shipment to market, of the output of phosphates or phosphate rock, and associated or related minerals. Each lease shall provide for the payment of a rental payable at the date of the lease and annually thereafter. The rental shall be not less than 25 cents an acre for the first year, 50 cents an acre for the second year and third year, and $1 an acre for each year thereafter. The rental paid for any year shall be credited against the royalties for that year. Each lease shall be for a term of 20 years and so long thereafter as the lessee complies with the terms and conditions of the lease.