Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025 | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 2815
BECAME LAW· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 2815Federal-Indian relationsAlaska
Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025
INTRO APR 10· LAST ACTION MAY 19
PASSAGE CHANCES
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Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it aims to finalize long-standing land claims for Alaska Native corporations, specifically the Cape Fox Village Corporation and Sealaska Corporation, stemming from the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971. Resolving these entitlements is crucial for these corporations to manage their land, pursue economic development, and preserve cultural sites.
If this bill becomes law, it provides a specific resolution, transferring ownership of a particular piece of federal land and its subsurface rights, which brings finality to the land selection process for these entities. If it doesn't become law, the existing land entitlements for Cape Fox and Sealaska would remain unresolved, potentially leading to continued administrative delays and uncertainty regarding land ownership and resource management in the region. This bill seeks to streamline the process and fulfill the promises made decades ago, impacting how land in Southeast Alaska is owned and utilized.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Waives the requirement for Cape Fox to select or receive conveyance of approximately 185 acres of land within the township of Saxman.
This allows Cape Fox to fulfill its land entitlement without being tied to specific land that may not be suitable or desired, providing flexibility.
PROVISION 02
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to convey approximately 180 acres of surface land within the Tongass National Forest to Cape Fox.
This provision directly grants Cape Fox a specific, identified parcel of federal land, moving towards the finalization of its ANCSA entitlement.
PROVISION 03
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to convey the subsurface estate of the same 180 acres to Sealaska Corporation.
This ensures that both the surface and subsurface entitlements of the respective Native corporations are met simultaneously for the specified land.
PROVISION 04
Declares that these land conveyances fulfill the entitlements of both Cape Fox and Sealaska Corporation under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
This provision provides legal finality to the land claims for these corporations, officially closing out their outstanding entitlements.
PROVISION 05
Subjects the land conveyance to a reservation of a public easement for access to other National Forest System land.
This ensures that while the land changes ownership, the public retains essential access rights to surrounding federal lands.
This bill matters because it aims to finalize long-standing land claims for Alaska Native corporations, specifically the Cape Fox Village Corporation and Sealaska Corporation, stemming from the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971. Resolving these entitlements is crucial for these corporations to manage their land, pursue economic development, and preserve cultural sites.
If this bill becomes law, it provides a specific resolution, transferring ownership of a particular piece of federal land and its subsurface rights, which brings finality to the land selection process for these entities. If it doesn't become law, the existing land entitlements for Cape Fox and Sealaska would remain unresolved, potentially leading to continued administrative delays and uncertainty regarding land ownership and resource management in the region. This bill seeks to streamline the process and fulfill the promises made decades ago, impacting how land in Southeast Alaska is owned and utilized.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Waives the requirement for Cape Fox to select or receive conveyance of approximately 185 acres of land within the township of Saxman.
This allows Cape Fox to fulfill its land entitlement without being tied to specific land that may not be suitable or desired, providing flexibility.
high
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to convey approximately 180 acres of surface land within the Tongass National Forest to Cape Fox.
This provision directly grants Cape Fox a specific, identified parcel of federal land, moving towards the finalization of its ANCSA entitlement.
high
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to convey the subsurface estate of the same 180 acres to Sealaska Corporation.
This ensures that both the surface and subsurface entitlements of the respective Native corporations are met simultaneously for the specified land.
high
Declares that these land conveyances fulfill the entitlements of both Cape Fox and Sealaska Corporation under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
This provision provides legal finality to the land claims for these corporations, officially closing out their outstanding entitlements.
med
Subjects the land conveyance to a reservation of a public easement for access to other National Forest System land.
This ensures that while the land changes ownership, the public retains essential access rights to surrounding federal lands.
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act
Cape Fox to submit a written notice of selection of the Federal land to the Secretary of the Interior.
As soon as practicable, but not later than 180 days after the Secretary receives Cape Fox's written notice of selection
Secretary of the Interior to complete the conveyances to Cape Fox and Sealaska Corporation.
GLOSSARY
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Village Corporation
A type of corporation established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) to represent the interests of a specific Native village in Alaska and receive land and funds.
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA)
A 1971 U.S. federal law that settled long-standing land claims by Alaska Natives, providing them with land and money in exchange for extinguishing aboriginal claims to vast areas of Alaska.
Conveyance
The legal act of transferring ownership of property from one party to another, often by means of a deed or land patent.
Surface Estate
Refers to the ownership rights to the surface of the land, including what is on it and directly above it, but not necessarily the minerals or resources beneath the surface.
Subsurface Estate
Refers to the ownership rights to the minerals, oil, gas, and other resources found below the surface of the land, separate from the surface ownership.
Tongass National Forest
The largest national forest in the United States, located in Southeast Alaska, managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
