Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act
Congress Proposes Granting 115,000 Acres of Land to Five Unrecognized Alaska Native Communities
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill aims to fix a mistake from 1971 when five Alaska Native communities—Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell—were left out of a major land settlement. It allows these groups to form "Urban Corporations," which are special companies owned by Native people to manage land and resources for their community.
- Each of the five new corporations would receive about 23,040 acres of federal land, totaling more than 115,000 acres. The corporations would own the surface of the land to use for their community's benefit, while a larger regional group would own the rights to what is underground, such as minerals.
- Alaska Natives from these five towns would become shareholders in these new companies. Original members would receive 100 shares each, and people who inherited rights from their relatives would also be included. This gives thousands of people a direct say and a financial stake in how their local land is managed.
- Even though the land would become private property, the bill requires it to stay open for the public to use for non-commercial hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. The new owners can set reasonable rules for safety or to protect the environment, but they generally cannot block regular people from visiting.
- The bill allows the new corporations to set up "settlement trusts" to pay for important community needs. This money would be used to support healthcare, education, and the preservation of Native culture, with a specific requirement to prioritize help for elders and children.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Existing guiding and outfitting businesses operating on the affected federal land under Forest Service special use authorizations would see those permits terminated upon land conveyance. However, the new Urban Corporations are required to issue replacement authorizations on substantially the same terms for the remainder of the original term plus one additional 10-year renewal. After that period, businesses would need to negotiate new terms directly with the Urban Corporations, creating some long-term uncertainty.
State Impacts
Milestones
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 499.
The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-579.
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
3 articles
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski: 'ANCSA continues to evolve'
Murkowski introduced updated legislation to allow the Alaska Native communities of Haines, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, and Tenakee to form urban corporations and receive land entitlements under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, rectifying a 50-year-old injustice.
Petersburg assembly will send letter opposing Alaska Native lands bill
Petersburg’s borough assembly voted to send a letter opposing a bill that would create five new urban Native corporations and transfer land from the Tongass National Forest. Local officials expressed concerns over the privatization of public land for for-profit use.
Landless Alaska Native communities continue push for recognition
The bill would provide each community the right to form an Alaska Native Urban Corporation and receive 23,040 acres of federal land. If enacted, the new corporations would receive $2.5 million in grant funding to establish corporate infrastructure and hold elections.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(1)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.