WASHINGTON, D.C. - Chairman of the Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs Don Young held a hearing today on H.R. 740, the Southeast Alaska Native Land Entitlement Finalization and Jobs Protection Act, and H.R. 1306, Southeast Alaska Native Land Conveyance Act. Both pieces of legislation address the Sealaska Corporation land entitlements still owed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971.
“Over 40 years since the passage of ANCSA, it is well past time for Sealaska to receive their full land entitlement, which will complete the statutory obligation of the federal government under ANCSA to the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian people of Southeast Alaska,” Rep. Young said. “Due to the prolonged negotiations in Congress over Sealaska’s land entitlement issue, today’s hearing examined both the full conveyance to Sealaska Corporation in the amount of 70,075 acres of land (H.R. 740), but the Committee also examined H.R. 1306, which provides 3,380 acres of land to Sealaska and would act as an interim solution to sustain
their timber operation.”
Sealaska Corporation Board of Directors member Byron Mallott testified in support of both bills. To view the lands conveyed under H.R. 1306, click here: http://naturalresources.house.gov/uploadedfiles/ianamaps.pdf.
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