Legislation was introduced in Congress in April of 2009 that, if it were to become law, would allow Sealaska to finally gain control of valuable traditional lands as promised 38 years ago in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
Currently, ANCSA limits Sealaska to select its final acres from within 10 federally designated areas in Southeast Alaska.
The proposed legislation would allow Sealaska to select its remaining lands outside of these areas, among parcels that include places of sacred, cultural, traditional, and historic significance for Alaska Natives.
Sealaska has been meeting with interest groups and communities around Southeast Alaska to discuss the lands bill and how it affects the regional economy and sacred and enterprise sites.
Sealaska has been meeting with environmental groups, the Tongass Futures Roundtable and elected officials to solicit feedback to ensure that the bill addresses the needs of the people of Southeast Alaska.
Sealaska wants to keep shareholders informed of the legislation and its progress, so please visit Sealaska's Final Land Entitlement page in our Campaigns section for more information.
Sealaska currently owns 290,000 acres of surface estate, including forest lands, as well as 560,000 acres of subsurface estate. These acres were conveyed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971.
Subsurface refers to the sand, rock, gravel and minerals found below the surface of the land.
Approximately 47 percent of our land is below 500 feet in elevation.
Our land is situated on 19 large peninsulas.
Our land includes:
310 miles of shoreline easily accessible by boat or seaplane
365 islands that total 4,175 acres
306 catalogued anadromous fish streams
295 catalogued bald eagle nest trees
16 log transfer facilities
135 unique, quality amenity sites (e.g. protected access, good soils and topography, and good fish and wildlife habitats)
ANCSA Section 7(i) requires all Regional Corporations to share 70 percent of their revenue derived from timber and subsurface estate. From 1982 to 2005, Sealaska contributed more than $300 million to the Section 7(i) pool from its timber harvest, making it the largest contributor of all ANCSA corporations.
Sealaska plans to decrease its timber harvest to 50 mmbf annually. Now, more than ever, it is critical to settle outstanding land conveyances so that Sealaska can effectively manage a sustainable harvest.
