The Alaska Native Land

Claims Settlement Act

Public Law 92-203

92nd Congress, H. R. 10367

December 18, 1971

To provide for the settlement of certain land claims of Alaska Natives, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the "Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act."

DECLARATION OF POLICY

SEC. 2. Congress finds and declares that

(a) there is an immediate need for a fair and just settlement of all claims by Natives and Native groups of Alaska, based on aboriginal land, claims;

(b) the settlement should be accomplished rapidly, with certainty, in conformity with the real economic and social needs Natives, without litigation, with maximum participation by Natives in decisions affecting their rights and property, without establishing any permanent racially defined institutions, rights, privileges, or obligations, without creating a reservation system or lengthy wardship or trusteeship, and without adding to the categories of property and institutions enjoying special tax privileges or to the legislation establishing special relationships between the United States Government and the State of Alaska;

(c) no provision of this Act shall replace or diminish any right, privilege, or obligation of Natives as citizens of the United States or of Alaska, or relieve, replace, or diminish any obligation of the United States or of the State of Alaska to protect and promote the rights or welfare of Natives as citizens of the United States or of Alaska; the Secretary is authorized and directed, together with other appropriate agencies of the United States Government, to make a study of all Federal programs primarily designed to benefit Native people and to report back to the Congress with his recommendations for the future management and operation of these programs within three years of the date of enactment of this Act;

(d) no provision of this Act shall constitute a precedent for reopening, renegotiating, or legislating

upon any past settlement involving land claims or other matters with any Native organizations, or any tribe, band, or identifiable group of American Indians;

(e) no provision of this Act shall effect a change or changes in the petroleum reserve policy reflected in sections 7421 through 7438 of title 10 of the United States Code except as specifically provided in this Act;

(f) no provision of this Act shall be construed to constitute a jurisdictional act, to confer jurisdiction to sue, nor to grant implied consent to Natives to sue the United States or any of its officers with respect to the claims extinguished by the operation of this Act; and

(g) no provision of this Act shall be construed to terminate or otherwise curtail the activities of the Economic Development Administration or other Federal agencies conducting loan or loan and grant programs in Alaska. For this purpose only, the terms Indian reservation and trust or restricted Indian owned land areas in Public Law 89C136, the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended, shall be interpreted to include lands granted to Natives under this Act as long as such lands remain in the ownership of the Native villages or the regional corporations.

DEFINITIONS

SEC 3. For the purpose of this Act, the term

(a) Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior;

(b) Native means a citizen of the United States who is a person of one-fourth degree or more Alaska Indian (including Tsimshian Indians not enrolled in the Metlakatla Indian Community) Eskimo, or Aleut blood, or combination thereof. The term includes any Native as so defined either or both of whose adoptive parents are not Natives. It also includes, in the absence of proof of a minimum blood quantum, any citizen of the United States who is regarded as an Alaska native by the Native village or Native group of which he claims to be a member and whose father or mother is (or deceased, was) regarded as native by any village or group. Any decision of the Secretary regarding eligibility for enrollment shall be final;

(c) Amative village means any tribe, band, clan, group, village, community, or association in Alaska listed in section 11 and 16 of this Act, or which meets the requirements of this Act, and which the Secretary determines was, on the 1970 census enumeration date (as shown by the census or other evidence satisfactory to the Secretary, who shall make findings of fact in each instance), composed of twenty-five or more Natives;

(d) Amative group means any tribe, band, clan, village, community, or village association of Natives in Alaska composed of less than twenty-five Natives, who comprise a majority of the residents of the locality;

(e) Public lands means all Federal lands and interests therein located in Alaska except: (1) the smallest practicable tract, as determined by the Secretary, enclosing land actually used in connection with the administration of any Federal installation, and (2) land selections of the State of Alaska which have been patented or tentatively approved under section 6 (g) of the Alaska Statehood Act, as amended (72Stat.341, 77Stat.223), or identified for selection by the State prior to January 17, 1969;

(f) State means the State of Alaska;

(g) Regional Corporation means an Alaska Native Regional Corporation established under the laws of the State of Alaska in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

(h) Person means any individual, firm, corporation, association, or partnership;

(i) Municipal Corporation means any general unit of municipal government under the laws of the State of Alaska;

(j) Village Corporation means an Alaska Native village corporation organized under the laws of the State of Alaska as a business for profit or nonprofit corporation to hold, invest, manage and/or distribute lands, property, funds, and other rights and assets for and on behalf of a Native village in accordance with the terms of this Act.

(k) Fund means the Alaska Native Fund in the Treasury of the United States established by section 6; and

(l) Planning Commission means the Joint Federal-State Land Use Planning Commission

established by section 17.

DECLARATION OF SETTLEMENT

SEC. 4. (a) All prior conveyance of public land and water areas in Alaska, or any interest

therein, pursuant to Federal law, and all tentative approvals pursuant to section 6 (g) of the Alaska Statehood Act, shall be regarded as an extinguishment of the aboriginal title thereto, if any.

(b) All aboriginal titles, if any, and claims of aboriginal title in Alaska based on use and occupancy, including submerged land underneath all water areas, both inland and offshore, and including any aboriginal hunting or fishing rights that may exist, are hereby extinguished.

(c) All claims against the United States, the State, and all other persons that are based on claims of aboriginal right, title, use or occupancy of land or water areas in Alaska, or that are based on any statute or treaty of the United States relating to Native use and occupancy, or that are based on the laws of any other nation, including any such claims that are pending before any Federal or state court or the Indian Claims Commission, are hereby extinguished.

ENROLLMENT

SEC. 5. (a) The Secretary shall prepare, within two years from the date of enactment of this Act a roll of all Natives who were born on or before, and are living on, the date of enactment of this Act. Any decision of the Secretary regarding eligibility for enrollment shall be final.

(B) The roll prepared by the Secretary shall show for each Native, among other things, the region and the village or other place in which he resided on the date of the 1970 census enumeration, and he shall be enrolled according to such residence. Except as provided in subsection (c), a Native eligible for enrollment who is not, when the roll is prepared, a permanent resident of one of the twelve regions established pursuant to subsection 7 (a) shall be enrolled by the Secretary in one of the twelve regions, giving priority in the following order to C

(1) the region where the Native resided on the 1970 census date if he had resided there without substantial interruption for two or more years;

(2) the region where the Native previously resided for an aggregate of ten years or more;

(3) the region where the Native was born; and

(4) the region from which an ancestor of the Native came; the Secretary may enroll a Native in a different region when necessary to avoid enrolling members of the same family in different regions or otherwise avoid hardship.

(c) A Native eligible for enrollment who is eighteen years of age or older and is not a permanent resident of one of the twelve regions may, on the date he files an application for enrollment, elect to be enrolled for Natives who are nonresidents of Alaska, if such region is established pursuant to subsection 7(c). If such region is not established, he shall be enrolled as provided in subsection (b). His election shall apply to all dependent members of his household who are less than eighteen years of age, but shall not affect the enrollment of anyone else.

ALASKA NATIVE FUND

SEC. 6. (a) There is hereby established in the United States Treasury an Alaska Native Fund into which the following moneys shall be deposited:

(1) $462,500,000 from the general fund of the Treasury, which are authorized to be appropriated according to the following schedule:

(A) $12,500,000 during the fiscal year in which this Act becomes effective;

(B) $50,000,000 during the second fiscal year;

(C) $70,000,000 during each of the third, fourth, and fifth fiscal year;

(D) $40,000,000 during the sixth fiscal year; and

(E) $30,000,000 during each of the next five fiscal years.

(2) Four percent interest per annum, which is authorized to be appropriated, on any amount authorized to be appropriated by this paragraph that is not appropriated within six months after the fiscal year in which payable.

(3) $500,000,000 pursuant to the revenue sharing provisions of section 9.

(b) None of the funds paid or distributed pursuant to this section to any of the Regional and Village Corporations established pursuant to this Act shall be expended, donated, or otherwise used for the purpose of carrying on propaganda, or intervening in (including the publishing and distributing of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate. Any person who willfully violates the foregoing provision shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than twelve months, or both.

(c) After completion of the roll prepared pursuant to section 5, all money in the Fund, except money reserved as provided in section 20 for the payment of attorney and other fees, shall be distributed at the end of each three months of the fiscal year among the Regional Corporations organized pursuant to section 7 on the basis of the relative numbers of natives enrolled in each region. The share of a Regional Corporation that has not been organized shall be retained in the Fund until the Regional Corporation is organized.

REGIONAL CORPORATIONS

SEC. 7. (a) For purposes of this Act, the State of Alaska shall be divided by the Secretary within one year after the date of enactment of this Act into twelve geographic regions, with each region composed as far as practicable of Natives having a common heritage and sharing common interests. In the absence of good cause shown to the contrary, such regions shall approximate the areas covered by the operations of the following existing Native associations:

(1) Arctic Slope Native Association (Barrow, Pint Hope);

(2) Bering Straits Association (Seward Peninsula, Unalakleet, Saint Lawrence Island);

(3) Northwest Alaska Native Association (Kotzebue);

(4) Association of Village Council Presidents (southwest coast, s on the Lower Yukon River and the Lower Kuskokwim River);

(5) Tanana Chiefs Conference (Koyukuk, Middle and Upper Yukon Rivers, Upper Kuskokwim, Tanana River);

(6) Cook Inlet Association (Kenai, Tyonek, Eklutna, Iliamna);

(7) Bristol Bay Native Association (Dillingham, Upper Alaska Peninsula);

(8) Aleut League (Aleutian islands, Pribilof Islands and that part of the Alaska Peninsula which is in the Aleut League);

(9) Chugach Native Association (Cordova, Tatitlek, Port Graham, English Bay, Valdez, and Seward);

(10) Tlingit-Haida Central Council (southeastern Alaska, including Metlakatla);

(11) Kodiak Area Native Association (all villages on and around Kodiak Island); and

(12) Copper River Native Association (Copper Center, Glennallen, Chitina, Mentasta).

Any dispute over the boundaries of a region or regions shall be resolved by a board of arbitrators consisting of one person selected by each of the Native associations involved, and an additional one or two persons, whichever is needed to make an odd number of arbitrators, such additional person or persons to be selected by the arbitrators selected by the Native associations involved.

(b) The Secretary may, on request made within one year of the date of enactment of this Act, by representatives and responsible leaders of the Native associations listed in subsection (a), merge two or more of the twelve regions: Provided, That the twelve regions may not be reduced to less than seven, and there may be no fewer than seven Regional Corporations.

(c) If a majority of all eligible Natives eighteen years of age or older who are not permanent residents of Alaska elect, pursuant to subsection 5 (c), to be enrolled in a thirteenth region for Natives who are nonresidents of Alaska, the Secretary shall establish such a region for the benefit of the Natives who elected to be enrolled therein, and they may establish a Regional Corporation pursuant to this Act.

(d) Five incorporators within each region, named by the Native association in the region, shall

incorporate under the laws of Alaska a Regional Corporation to conduct business for profit, which shall be eligible for the benefits of this Act so long as it is organized and functions in accordance with this Act. The articles of incorporation shall include provisions necessary to carry out the terms of this Act.

(e) The original articles of incorporation and bylaws shall be approved by the Secretary before they are filed, and they shall be submitted for approval within eighteen months after the date of enactment of this Act. The articles of incorporation may not be amended during the Regional Corporation's first five years without the approval of the Secretary. The Secretary may withhold approval under this section if in his judgment inequities among Native individuals or groups of Native individuals would be created.

(F) The management of the Regional Corporation shall be vested in a board of directors, all of whom, with the exception of the initial board, shall be stockholders over the age of eighteen. The number, terms, and method of election of members of the board of directors shall be fixed in the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Regional Corporation.

(g) The Regional Corporation shall be authorized to issue such number of shares of common stock, divided into such classes of shares as may be specified in the articles of incorporation to reflect the provisions of this Act, as may be needed to issue one hundred shares of stock to each Native enrolled in the region pursuant to section 5.

(h) (1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, stock issued pursuant to subsection (g) shall carry a right to vote in elections for the board of directors and on such other questions as properly may be presented to stockholders, shall permit the holder to receive dividends or other distributions from the Regional Corporation, and shall vest in the holder all rights of a stockholder in a business corporation organized under the laws of the State of Alaska, except that for a period of twenty years after the date of enactment of this Act the stock, inchoate rights thereto, and any dividends paid or distributions made with respect thereto, may not be sold, pledged, subjected to a lien or judgment execution, assigned in present or future, or otherwise alienated: Provided, That such limitation shall not apply to transfers of stock pursuant to a court decree of separation, divorce, or child support.

(2) Upon the death of any stockholder, ownership of such stock shall be transferred in accordance with his last will and testament or under the applicable laws of intestacy, except that (A) during the twenty-year period after the date of enactment of this Act such stock shall carry voting rights only if the holder thereof through inheritance also is a Native, and (B), in the event the deceased stockholder fails to dispose of his stock by will and has no heirs under the applicable laws of intestacy, such stock shall escheat to the Regional Corporation.

(3) On January 1 of the twenty-first year after the year in which this Act is enacted, all stock previously issued shall be deemed to be canceled, and shares of stock of the appropriate class shall be issued without restrictions required by this Act to each stockholder share for share.

(i) Seventy per centum of all revenues received by each Regional Corporation from the timber resources and subsurface estate patented to it pursuant to this Act shall be divided annually by the Regional Corporations organized pursuant to this section according to the number of Natives enrolled in each region pursuant to section 5. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the Thirteenth Regional Corporation if organization pursuant to subsection (c) hereof.

(j) During the five years following the enactment of this Act, not less than 10% of all corporate funds received by each of the twelve Regional Corporations under section 6 (Alaska Native Fund), and under subsection (i) (revenues from the timber resources and subsurface estate patented to it pursuant to this Act), and all other net income, shall be distributed among the stockholders of the twelve Regional Corporations. Not less than 45% of funds from such sources during the first five-year period, and 50% thereafter, shall be distributed among the Village Corporations in the region and the class of stockholders who are not residents of those villages, as provided in subsection to it. In the case of the thirteenth Regional Corporation, if organized, not less than 50% of all corporate funds received under section 6 shall be distributed to the stockholders.

(k) Funds distributed among the Village Corporations shall be divided among them according to the ratio that the number of shares of stock registered on the books of the Regional Corporation in the names of residents of each village bears to the number of shares of stock registered in the names of residents in all villages.

(l) Funds distributed to a Village Corporation may be withheld until the village has submitted a plan for the use of the money that is satisfactory to the Regional Corporation. The Regional Corporation may require a village plan to provide for joint ventures with other villages, and for joint financing of projects undertaken by the Regional Corporation that will benefit the region generally. In the event of disagreement over the provisions of the plan, the issues in disagreement shall be submitted to arbitration, as shall be provided for in the articles of incorporation of the Regional Corporation.

(m) When funds are distributed among Village Corporations in a region, an amount computed as follows shall be distributed as dividends to the class of stockholders who are not residents of those villages: The amount distributed as dividends shall bear the same ratio to the amount distributed among the Village Corporations that the number of shares of stock registered on the books of the Regional Corporation in the names of nonresidents of villages bears to the number of shares of stock registered in the names of village residents: Provided, That an equitable portion of the amount distributed as dividends may be withheld and combined with Village Corporation funds to finance projects that will benefit the region generally.

(n) The Regional Corporation may undertake on behalf of one or more of the Village Corporations in the region any project authorized and financed by them.

(o) The accounts of the Regional Corporation shall be audited annually in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by independent certified public accountants or independent licensed public accountants, certified or licensed by a regulatory authority of the State or the United States. The audits shall be conducted at the place or places where the accounts of the Regional Corporation are normally kept. All books, accounts, financial records, reports, files, and other papers, things, or property belonging to or in use by the Regional Corporation and necessary to facilitate the audits shall be available to the person or persons conducting the audits; and full facilities for verifying transactions with the balances or securities held by depositories, fiscal agent, and custodians shall be afforded to such person or persons. Each audit report or a fair and reasonably detailed summary thereof shall be transmitted to each stockholder, to the Secretary of the Interior and to the Committees on Interior and Insular Affairs-of-the Senate and the House of Representatives.

(p) In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this section and the laws of the State of Alaska, the provisions of this section shall prevail.

(q) Two or More Regional Corporations may contract with the same business management group for investment services and advice regarding the investment of corporate funds.

VILLAGE CORPORATIONS

SEC. 8. (a) The Native residents of each Native village entitled to receive lands and benefits under this Act shall organize as a business for profit or nonprofit corporation under the laws of the State before the Native village may receive patent to lands or benefits under this Act, except as otherwise provided.

(b) The initial articles of incorporation for each Village Corporation shall be subject to the approval of the Regional Corporation for the region in which the village is located. Amendments to the articles of incorporation and the annual budgets of the Village Corporations shall, for a period of five years, be subject to review and approval by the Regional Corporation. The Regional Corporation shall assist and advise Native villages in the preparation of articles of incorporation and other documents necessary to meet the requirements of this subsection.

(c) The provisions concerning stock alienation, annual audit, and transfer of stock ownership on death or by court decree provided for Regional Corporations in section 7 shall apply to Village Corporations except that audits need not be transmitted to the Committees on Interior and Insular Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

REVENUE SHARING

SEC. 9. (a) The Provisions of this section shall apply to all minerals that are subject to disposition under the Natural Leasing Act of 1920, as amended and supplemented.

(b) With respect to conditional leases and sales of minerals heretofore or hereafter made pursuant to section 6 (g) of the Alaska Statehood Act, and with respect to mineral leases of the United States that are or may be subsumed by the State under section 6 (h) of the Alaska Statehood Act, until such time as the provisions of subsection (c) become operative the State shall pay into the Alaska Native Fund from the royalties, rentals, and bonuses hereafter received by the State (1) a royalty of 2 per centum upon the gross value (as such gross value is determined for royalty purposes under such leases or sales) of such minerals produced or removed from such lands, and (2) 2 per centum of all rentals and bonuses under such leases or sales, excluding bonuses received by the State at the September 1969 sale of minerals from tentatively approved lands and excluding rentals received pursuant to such sale before the date of enactment of this Act. Such payment shall be made within sixty days from the date the revenues are received by the State.

(c) Each patent hereafter issued to the State under the Alaska Statehood Act, including a patent of lands heretofore selected and tentatively approved, shall reserve for the benefit of the Natives, and for payment into the Alaska Native Fund, (1) a royalty of 2 per centum upon the gross value (as such gross value is determined for royalty purposes under any disposition by the State) of the minerals thereafter produced or removed from such lands, and (2) 2 per centum of all revenues thereafter derived by the State from rentals and bonuses from the disposition of such minerals.

(d) All bonuses, rentals, and royalties received by the United States after the date of enactment of this Act from the disposition by it of such minerals in public lands in Alaska shall be distributed as provided in the Alaska Statehood Act, except that prior to calculating the shares of the State and the United States as set forth in such Act, (1) a royalty of 2 per centum upon the gross value of such minerals produced (as such gross value is determined for royalty purposes under the sale or lease), and (2) 2 per centum of all rentals and bonuses shall be deducted and paid into the Alaska Native Fund. The respective shares of the State and the United States shall be calculated on the remaining balance.

(e) The provisions of this section shall be enforceable by the United States for the benefit of the Natives, and in the event of default by the State in making the payments required, in addition to any other remedies provided by law, there shall be deducted annually by the Secretary of the Treasury from any grant-in-aid or from any other sums payable to the State under any Provision of Federal law an amount equal to any such underpayment, which amount shall be deposited in the Fund.

(f) Revenues received by the United States or the State as compensation for estimated drainage of oil or gas shall, for the purposes of this section, be regarded as revenues from the disposition of oil and gas. In the event the United States or the State elects to take royalties in kind, there shall be paid into the Fund on account thereof an amount equal to the royalties that would have been paid into the Fund under the provisions of this section had the royalty been taken in cash.

(g ) The payments required by this section shall continue only until $500,000,000 have been paid into the Alaska Native Fund. Thereafter, the provisions of this section shall not apply, and the reservation required in patents under this section shall be of no further force and effect.

(h) When computing the final payment in the Fund, the respective shares of the United States and the State with respect to payments to the Fund required by this section shall be determined pursuant to this subsection and in the following order:

(1) first, from sources identified under subsections (b) and (c) hereof; and

(2) then, from sources identified under subsection (d) hereof.

(i) The provisions of this section do not apply to mineral revenues received from the Outer Continental Shelf

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS

SEC. 10. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any civil action to contest the authority of the United States to legislate on the subject matter or the legality of the Act shall be barred unless the complaint is filed within one year of the date of enactment of this Act, and no such action shall be entertained unless it is commenced by a duly authorized official of the State. Exclusive jurisdiction over such action is hereby vested in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska. The purpose of this limitation on suits is to ensure that, after the expiration of a reasonable period of time, the right, title, and interest of the United States, the Natives, and the State of Alaska will vest with certainty and finality and may be relied upon by all other persons in their relations with the State, the Natives, and the United States.

(b)In the event that the State initiates litigation or voluntarily becomes a party to litigation to contest the authority of the United States to legislate on the subject matter or the legality of this Act, all rights of land selection granted to the State by the Alaska Statehood Act shall be suspended as to any public lands which are determined by the Secretary to be potentially valuable for mineral development, timber, or other commercial purposes, and no selections shall be made, no tentative approvals shall be granted, and no patents shall be issued for such lands during the pendency of such litigation. In the event of such suspension, the State's right of land selection pursuant to section 6 of the Alaska Statehood Act shall be extended for a period of time equal to the period of time the selection right was suspended.

WITHDRAWAL OF PUBLIC LANDS

SEC. 11. (a) (1) The following public lands are withdrawn, subject to valid existing rights, from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining and mineral leasing laws, and from selection under the Alaska Statehood Act, as amended:

(A) The lands in each township that encloses all or part of any Native village identified pursuant to subsection (b);

(B) The lands in each township that is contiguous to or corners on the township that encloses all or part of such Native village; and

(C) The lands in each township that is contiguous to or corners on a township containing lands withdrawn by paragraph (B) of this subsection.

The following lands are excepted from such withdrawal: lands in the National Park System and lands withdrawn or reserved for national defense purposes other than Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 4.

(2) All lands located within the townships described in subsection (a) (1) hereof that have been selected by, or tentatively approved to, but not yet patented to, the State under the Alaska Statehood Act are withdrawn, subject to valid existing rights, from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining and mineral leasing laws, and from the creation of third party interests by the State under the Alaska Statehood Act.

(3) (A) If the Secretary determines that the lands withdrawn by subsections (a) (1) and (2) hereof are insufficient to permit a Village or Regional Corporation to select the acreage it is entitled to select, the Secretary shall withdraw three times the deficiency from the nearest unreserved, vacant, and unappropriated public lands. In making this withdrawal the Secretary shall, insofar as possible, withdraw public lands of a character similar to those on which the village is located and in order of their proximity to the center of the Native village: Provided, That if the Secretary, pursuant to section 17 and 22 (e) determines there is a need to expand the boundaries of a National Wildlife Refuge to replace any acreage selected in the Wildlife Refuge System by the Village Corporation the withdrawal under this section shall not include lands in the Refuge.

(B) The Secretary shall make the withdrawal provided for in subsection (3) (A) hereof on the basis of the best available information within sixty days of the date of enactment of this Act, or as soon thereafter as practicable.

(B) (1) The Native villages subject to this Act are as follows:

NAME OF PLACE AND REGION

Afognak, Afognak Island.

Akhiok, Kodiak.

Akiachak, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Akiak, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Akutan, Aleutian

Alakanuk, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Alatna, Koyukuk, Lower Yukon.

Aleknagik, Bristol Bay.

Allakaket, Koyukuk, Lower Yukon.

Ambler, Bering Strait.

Anaktuvuk Pass, Arctic Slope.

Andreafskey, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Aniak, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Anvik, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon.

Arctic Village, Upper Yukon-Porcupine.

Atka, Aleutian.

Atkasook, Arctic Slope.

Atmautluak, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Barrow, Arctic Slope.

Beaver, Upper Yukon-Porcupine.

Belkofsky, Aleutian

Bethel, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Bill Moore's, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Biorka, Aleutian

Birch Creek, Upper Yukon-Porcupine.

Brevig Mission, Bering Strait.

Buckland, Bering Strait.

Candle, Bering Strait.

Cantwell, Tanana.

Canyon Village, Upper Yukon-Porcupine.

Chalkyitsik, Upper Yukon-Porcupine.

Chanilut, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Cherfornak, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Chevak, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Chignik, Kodiak.

Chignik Lagoon, Kodiak.

Chignik Lake, Kodiak.

Chistochina, Copper River.

Chitina, Copper River.

Chukwuktoligamute, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Circle, Upper Yukon-Porcupine.

Clark's Point, Bristol Bay.

Copper Center, Copper River.

Crooked Creek, Upper Kuskokwim.

Deering, Bering Strait.

Dillingham, Bristol Bay.

Dot Lake, Tanana.

Eagle, Upper Yukon-Porcupine.

Eek, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Egegik, Bristol Bay.

Eklutna, Cook inlet

Ekuk, Bristol Bay.

Ekwok, Bristol Bay.

Elim, Bering Strait.

Ennnonak, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

English Bay, Cook Inlet

False Pass, Aleutian

Fort Yukon, Upper Yukon-Porcupine.

Gakona, Copper River.

Galena, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon.

Gambell, Bering Sea.

Georgetown, Upper Kuskokwim.

Golovin, Bering Strait.

Goodnews Bay, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Grayling, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon.

Gulkana, Copper River.

Hamilton, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Holy Cross, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon.

Hooper Bay, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Hughes, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon.

Huslia, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon.

Igiugig, Bristol Bay.

Iliamna, Cook Inlet

Inalik, Bering Strait.

Ivanof Bay, Aleutian

Kaguyak, Kodiak.

Kaktovik, Arctic Slope.

Kalskag, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Kaltag, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon.

Karluk, Kodiak.

Kasigluk, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Kiana, Bering Strait.

King Cove, Aleutian

Kipnuk, Southeast Coastal Lowland.

Kivalina, Bering Strait.

Kobuk, Bering Strait.

Kokhanok, Bristol Bay

Koliganek, Bristol Bay.

Kongiganak, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Kotlik, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Kotzebue, Bering Strait.

Koyuk, Bristol Bay.

Koyukuk, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon.

Kwethluk, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Kwigillingok, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Larsen Bay, Kodiak.

Levelock, Bristol Bay.

Lime Village, Upper Kuskokwim.

Lower Kalskag, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

McGrath, Upper Kuskokwim.

Makok, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon.

Manley Hot Springs, Tanana.

Manokotak, Bristol Bay.

Marshall, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Mary's Igloo, Bering Strait.

Medfra, Upper Kuskokwim.

Mekoryuk, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Mentasta Lake, Copper River.

Minchumina Lake, Upper Kuskokwim.

Minto, Tanana.

Mountain Village, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Nabesna Village, Tanana.

Naknek, Bristol Bay.

Napaimute, Upper Kuskokwim.

Napakiak, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Napaskiak, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Nelson Lagoon, Aleutian

Nenana, Tanana.

Newhalen, Cook Wet

New Stuyahok, Bristol Bay.

Newtok, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Nightmute, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Nikolai, Upper Kuskokwim.

Nikolski, Aleutian

Ninilchik, Cook Inlet

Noatak, Bering Strait.

Nome, Bering Strait.

Nondalton, Cook In

Nooiksut, Arctic Slope.

Noorvik, Bering Strait.

Northeast Cape, Bering Strait.

Northway, Tanana.

Nulato, Koyukuk, Lower Yukon.

Nunapitchuk, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Ohogamiut, Southwest Coastal Lowland

Old Harbor, Kodiak.

Oscarville, Southwest Coastal Lowland

Ouzinkie, Kodiak.

Paradise, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon.

Pauloff Harbor, Aleutian

Pedro Bay, Cook Inlet

Perryville, Kodiak.

Pilot Point, Bristol Bay.

Pilot Station, Southwest Coastal Lowland

Pitkas Point, Southwest Coastal Lowland

Platinum, Southwest Coastal Lowland

Point Hope, Arctic Slope.

Point Lay, Arctic Slope,

Portage Creek (Ohgsenakale), Bristol Bay.

Port Graham, Cook Inlet

Port Heiden (Meshick), Aleutian

Port Lions, Kodiak.

Quinhagak, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Rampart, Upper Kuskokwim.

Red Devil, Upper Kuskokwim.

Ruby, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon.

Russian Mission or Chauthalue (Kuskokwim),

Upper Kuskokwim.

Russian Mission (Yukon), Southwest Coastal Lowland

St. George, Aleutian

St. Mary's, Southwest Coastal Lowland

St. Michael, Bering Strait.

St. Paul, Aleutian

Salamatof, Cook Inlet

Sand Point, Aleutian

Savonoski, Bristol Bay.

Savoonga, Bering Strait.

Scammon Bay, Southwest Coastal Lowland

Selawik, Bering Strait.

Seldovia, Cook Inlet.

Shageluk, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon.

Shaktoolik, Bering Strait.

Sheldon's Point, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Shishmaref, Bering Strait.

Shungnak, Bering Strait.

Slana, Copper River.

Sleetmute, Upper Kuskokwim.

South Naknek, Bristol Bay.

Squaw Harbor, Aleutian

Stebbins, Bering Strait.

Stevens Village, Upper Yukon-Porcupine.

Stony River, Upper Kuskokwim.

Takotna, Upper Kuskokwim.

Tanacross, Tanana.

Tanana, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon.

Tatilek, Chugach

Tazlina, Copper River.

Telida, Upper Kuskokwim.

Teller, Bering Strait.

Tetlin, Tanana.

Togiak, Bristol Bay.

Toksook Bay, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Tulusak, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Tuntutuliak, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Tununak, Southwest Coastal Lowland.

Twin Hills, Bristol Bay.

Tyonek, Cook Inlet

Ugashik, Bristol Bay.

Unalakleet, Bering Strait.

Unalaska, Aleutian

Unga, Aleutian

Uyak, Kodiak.

Venetie, Upper Yukon-Porcupine.

Wainwright, Arctic Slope.

Wales, Bering Strait.

White Mountain, Bering Strait.

(2) Within two and one-half years from the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall review all of the villages listed in subsection (b) (1) hereof, and a village shall not be eligible for land benefits under subsections 14 (a) and (b), and any withdrawal for such village shall expire, if the Secretary determines that C

(A) less than twenty-five Natives were residents of the village on the 1970 census enumeration date as shown by the census or other evidence satisfactory to the Secretary, who shall make findings of fact in each instance; or,

(B) the village is of a modern and urban character, and the majority of the residents are non-Native.

Any Native group made ineligible by this subsection shall be considered under subsection 14 (h).

(3) Native villages not listed in subsection (b) (1)hereof shall be eligible for land and benefits under this Act and lands shall be withdrawn pursuant to this section if the Secretary within two and one-half years from the date of enactment of this Act, determines that C

(A) twenty-five or more Natives were residents of an established village on the 1970 census enumeration date as shown by the census or other evidence satisfactory to the Secretary, who shall make findings of fact in each instance; and

(B) the village is not of a modern and urban character, and a majority of the residents are Natives.

NATIVE LAND SELECTIONS

SEC. 12. (a) (1) During a period of three years from the date of enactment of this Act, the Village Corporation for each Native village identified pursuant to section 11 shall select, in accordance with rules established by the Secretary, all of the township or townships in which any part of the village is located, plus an area that will make the total selection equal to the acreage to which the village is entitled under section 14. The selection shall be made from lands withdrawn by subsection 11 (a): Provided, That no Village Corporation may select more than 69,120 acres from lands withdrawn by subsection 11 (a) (2), and not more than 69,120 acres from the National Wildlife Refuge System, and not more than 69,120 acres in a National Forest: Provided further, That when a Village Corporation selects the surface estate to lands within the National Wildlife Refuge System or Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 4, the Regional Corporation for that region may select the subsurface estate in an equal acreage from other lands withdrawn by subsection 11 (a) within the region, if possible.

(2) Selections made under this subsection (a) shall be contiguous and in reasonably compact tracts, except as separated by bodies of water or by lands which are unavailable for selection, and shall be in whole sections and, wherever feasible, in units of not less than 1,280 acres.

(b) The difference between twenty-two million acres and the total acreage selected by Village Corporations pursuant to subsection (a) shall be allocated by the Secretary among the eleven Regional Corporations (which excludes the Regional Corporation for southeastern Alaska) on the basis of the number of Natives enrolled in each region. Each Regional Corporation shall reallocate such acreage among the Native villages within the region on an equitable basis after considering historic use, subsistence needs, and population. The action of the Secretary or the Corporation shall not be subject to judicial review. Each Village Corporation shall select the acreage allocated to it from the lands withdrawn by subsection 11 (a).

(c) The difference between thirty-eight million acres and the 22 million acres selected by Village Corporations pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) shall be allocated among the eleven Regional Corporations (which excludes the Regional Corporation for southeastern Alaska) as follows:

(1) The number of acres each Regional Corporation is entitled to receive shall be computed (A) by determining on the basis of available data the percentage of all land in Alaska (excluding the southeastern region) that is within each of the eleven regions, (B) by applying that percentage to thirty-eight million acres reduced by the acreage in the southeastern region that is to be selected pursuant to section 16, and (C) by deducting from the figure so computed the number of acres within that region selected pursuant to subsections (a) and (b).

(2) In the event that the total number of acres selected within a region pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) exceeds the percentage of the reduced thirty-eight million acres allotted to that region pursuant to subsection (c) (1) (B), that region shall not be entitled to receive any lands under this subsection (c). For each region so affected, the difference between the acreage calculated pursuant to subsection (c) (1) (B) and the acreage selected pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) shall be deducted from the acreage calculated under subsection (c) (1) (C) for the remaining regions which will select lands under this subsection (c). The reductions shall be apportioned among the remaining regions so that

each region's share of the total reduction bears the same proportion to the total reduction as the total land area in that region (as calculated pursuant to subsection (c) (1) (A) bears to the total land area in all of the regions whose allotments are to be reduced pursuant to this paragraph.

(3)Before the end of the fourth year after the date of enactment of this Act, each Regional Corporation shall select the acreage allocated to it from the lands within the region withdrawn pursuant to subsection 11 (a) (1), and from the lands within the region withdrawn pursuant to subsection 11 (a) (3) to the extent lands withdrawn pursuant to subsection 11 (a) (1) are not sufficient to satisfy its allocation: Provided, That within the lands withdrawn by subsection 11 (a) (1) the Regional Corporation may select only even numbered townships in even numbered ranges, and only odd numbered townships in odd numbered ranges.

(d) To ensure that the Village Corporation for the Native village at Dutch Harbor, if found eligible for land grants under this Act, has a full opportunity to select lands within and near the village, no federally owned lands, whether improved or not, shall be disposed of pursuant to the Federal surplus property disposal laws for a period of two years from the date of enactment of this Act. The Village Corporation may select such lands and improvements and receive patent to them pursuant to subsection 14 (a) of this Act.

(e) Any dispute over the land selection rights .and the boundaries of Village Corporations shall be resolved by a board of arbitrators consisting of one person selected by each of the Village Corporations involved, and an additional one or two persons, whichever is needed to make an odd number of arbitrators, such additional person or persons to be selected by the arbitrators selected by the Village Corporations.

SURVEYS

SEC. 13 (a) The Secretary shall survey the areas selected or designated for conveyance to Village Corporations pursuant to the provisions of this Act. He shall monument only exterior boundaries of the selected or designated areas at angle points and at intervals at approximately two miles on straight lines. No ground survey or monumentation will be required along meanderable water boundaries. He shall survey within the areas selected or designated land occupied as a primary place of residence, as a primary place of business, and for other purposes, and any other land to be patented under this Act.

(b)All withdrawals, selections, and conveyances pursuant to this Act shall be as shown on current plats of survey or protraction diagrams of the Bureau of Land Management, or protraction diagrams of the Bureau of the State where protraction diagrams of the Bureau of Land Management are not available, and shall conform as nearly as practicable to the United States Land Survey System.

CONVEYANCE OF LANDS

SEC. 14 (a) Immediately after selection by a Village Corporation for a Native village listed in section 11 which the Secretary finds is qualified for land benefits under this Act, the Secretary shall issue to the Village Corporation a patent to the surface estate in the number of acres shown in the following table:

If the village had on the 1970 It shall be entitled to a patent

census enumeration date a lands equal to,

Native population between,

25 and 99 69,120 acres.

100 and 199 92,160 acres.

200 and 399 115,200 acres.

400 and 599 138,240 acres.

600 and more 161,280 acres.

The lands patented shall be those selected by the Village Corporation pursuant to subsection 12 (a). In addition, the Secretary shall issue to the Village Corporation a patent to the surface estate in the lands selected pursuant to subsection 12 (b).

(b)Immediately after selection by any Village Corporation for a Native village listed in section 16 which the Secretary finds is qualified for land benefits under this Act, the Secretary shall issue to the Village Corporation a patent to the surface estate to 23,040 acres. The lands patented shall be the lands within the township or townships that enclose the Native village, and any additional lands selected by the Village Corporation from the surrounding townships withdrawn for the Native village by subsection 16 (a).

(c) Each patent issued pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) shall be subject to the requirements of this subsection. Upon receipt of a patent or patents:

(1) the Village Corporation shall first convey to any Native or non-Native occupant, without consideration, title to the surface estate in the tract occupied as a primary place of residence, or as a primary place of business, or as a subsistence campsite, or as headquarters for reindeer husbandry;

(2) the Village Corporation shall then convey to the occupant, either without consideration or upon payment of an amount not in excess of fair market value, determined as of the date of initial occupancy and without regard to any improvements thereon, title to the surface estate in any tract occupied by a nonprofit organization;

(3) the Village Corporation shall then convey to any Municipal Corporation in the Native village or to the State in trust for any Municipal Corporation established in the Native village in the future, title to the remaining surface estate of the improved land on which the Native village is located and as much additional land as is necessary for community expansion, and appropriate rights-of-way for public use, and other foreseeable community needs: Provided, That the amount of lands to be transferred to the Municipal Corporation or in trust shall be no less than 1,280 acres:

(4) the Village Corporation shall convey to the Federal Government, State, or the appropriate Municipal Corporation, title to the surface estate for existing airport sites, airway beacons, and other navigation aids, together with such additional acreage and/or easements as are necessary to provide related services and to ensure safe approaches to airport runways; and

(5)for a period of ten years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Regional Corporation shall be afforded the opportunity to review and render advice to the Village Corporations on all land sales, leases or other transactions prior to any final commitment.

(d) the Secretary may apply the rule of approximation with respect to the acreage limitations contained in this section.

(e) Immediately after selection by a Regional Corporation, the Secretary shall convey to the Regional Corporation title to the surface and/or the subsurface estates, as is appropriate, in the lands selected.

(F) When the Secretary issues a patent to a Village Corporation for the surface estate in lands pursuant to subsections (a) and (b), he shall issue to the Regional Corporation for the region in which the lands are located a patent to the subsurface estate in such lands, except lands located in the National Wildlife Refuge System and lands withdrawn or reserved for national defense purposes, including Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 4, for which in lieu rights are provided for in subsection 12 (a) (1): Provided, That the right to explore, develop, or remove minerals from the subsurface estate in the lands within the boundaries of any Native village shall be subject to the consent of the Village Corporation.

(g) All conveyances made pursuant to this Act shall be subject to valid existing rights. Where, prior to patent of any land or minerals under this Act, a lease, contract, permit, right-of-way, or easement (including a lease issued under section 6 (g) of the Alaska Statehood Act) has been issued for the surface or minerals covered under such patent, the patent shall contain provisions making it subject to the lease, contract, permit, right-of-way, or easement, and the right of the lessee, contractee, permittee, or grantee to the complete enjoyment of all rights, privileges, and benefits thereby granted to him. Upon issuance of the patent, the patentee shall succeed and become entitled to any and all interests of the State or the United States as lessor, contractor, permitter, or grantor, in any such leases, contracts, permits, rights-of-way, or easements covering the estate patented, and a lease issued under section 6 (g) of the Alaska Statehood Act shall be treated for all purposes as though the patent had been issued to the State. The administration of such lease, contract, permit, right-of-way, or easement shall continue to be by the State or the United States, unless the agency responsible for administration waives administration. In the event that the patent does not cover all of the land embraced within any such lease, contract, permit, right-of-way, or easement, the patentee shall only be entitled to the proportionate amount of the revenues reserved under such lease, contract, permit, right-of-way, or easement by the State or the United States which results from multiplying the total of such revenues by a fraction in which the numerator is the acreage of such lease, contract, permit, right-of-way, or easement which is included in the patent and the denominator is the total acreage contained in such lease, contract, permit, right-of-way, or easement.

(h) The Secretary is authorized to withdraw and convey 2 million acres of unreserved and unappropriated public lands located outside the areas withdrawn by sections 11 and 16, and follows:

(1) The Secretary may withdraw and convey to the appropriate Regional Corporation fee title to existing cemetery sites and historical places;

(2) The Secretary may withdraw and convey to a Native group that does not qualify as a Native village, if it incorporates under the laws of Alaska, title to the surface estate in not more than 23,040 acres surrounding the Native group's locality. The subsurface estate in such land shall be conveyed to the appropriate Regional Corporation;

(3) The Secretary may withdraw and convey to the Natives residing in Sitka, Kenai, Juneau, and Kodiak, if they incorporate under the laws of Alaska, the surface estate of lands of a similar character in not more than 23,040 acres of land, which shall be located in reason, able proximity to the municipalities. The subsurface estate in such lands shall be conveyed to the appropriate Regional Corporation unless the lands are locate in a Wildlife Refuge;

(4) The Secretary shall withdraw only such lands surrounding the villages and municipalities as are necessary to permit the conveyance authorized by paragraphs (2) and (3) to be planned and effected;

(5) The Secretary may convey to a Native, upon application within two years from the date of enactment of this Act, the surface estate is not to exceed 160 acres of land occupied by the Native as a primary place of residence.

(6) The Secretary shall charge against the 2 million acres authorized to be conveyed by this section all allotments approved pursuant to section 18 during the four years following the date of enactment of this Act;

(7) The Secretary may withdraw and convey lands out of the National Wildlife Refuge System and out of the National Forests, for the purposes set forth in subsections (h) (1), (2), (3) and (5); and (8) Any portion of the 2 million acres not conveyed by this subsection shall be allocated and conveyed to the Regional Corporations on the basis of population.

TIMBER SALE CONTRACTS

SEC. 15. Notwithstanding the provisions of existing National Forest timber sale contracts that are directly affected by conveyances authorized by this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to modify any such contract, with the consent of the purchaser, by substituting, to the extent practicable, timber on other national forest lands approximately equal in volume, species, grade, and accessibility for timber standing on any land affected by such conveyances, and, on request of the appropriate Village Corporation the Secretary of Agriculture is directed to make such substitution to the extent it is permitted by the timber sale contract without the consent of the purchaser.

THE TLINGIT-HAIDA SETTLEMENT

SEC. 16. (a) All public lands in each township that encloses all or any part of a Native village listed below, and in each township that is contiguous to or corners on such township, except lands withdrawn or reserved for national defense purposes, are hereby withdrawn, subject to valid existing rights, for all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining and mineral leasing laws, and from selection under the Alaska Statehood Act, as amended:

Angoon, Southeast.

Craig, Southeast.

Hoonah, Southeast.

Hydaburg, Southeast.

Kake, Southeast.

Kasaan, Southeast.

Klawock, Southeast.

Klukwan, Southeast.

Saxman, Southeast.

Yakutat, Southeast.

(b) During a period of three years from the date of enactment of this Act, each Village Corporation for the villages listed in subsection (a) shall select, in accordance with rules established by the Secretary, an area equal to 23,040 acres, which must include the township or townships in which all or part of the Native village is located, plus, to the extent necessary, withdrawn lands from the townships that are contiguous to or corner on such township. All selections shall be contiguous and in reasonably compact tracts, except as separated by bodies of water, and shall conform as nearly as practicable to the United States Lands Survey System.

(c) The funds appropriated by the Act of July 9, 1968 (82 Stat. 307), to pay the judgment of the Court of Claims in the case of The Tlingit and Haida Indians of Alaska, et al. against The United States, numbered 47,9000, and distributed to the Tlingit and Haida Indians pursuant to the Act of July 13, 1970 (84 Stat. 43 1), are in lieu of the additional acreage to be conveyed to qualified villages listed in section 11.

JOINT FEDERAL-STATE LAND USE

PLANNING COMMISSION FOR ALASKA

SEC. 17 (a) (1) There is hereby established the joint Federal-State Land Use Planning Commission for Alaska. The Planning Commission shall be composed of ten members as follows:

(A) The Governor of the State (or his designate) and four members who shall be appointed by the Governor. During the Planning Commission's existence at least one member appointed by the Governor shall be a Native as defined by this Act.

(B) One member appointed by the President of the United States with the advice and consent of the Senate, and four members who shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior.

(2) The Governor of the State and the member appointed by the President pursuant to subsection (a) (1) (B), shall serve as co-chairmen of the Planning Commission. The initial meeting of the Commission shall be called by the co-chairmen. All decisions of the Commission shall require the concurrence of the co-chairmen.

(3) Six members of the Planning Commission shall constitute a quorum. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. A vacancy in the membership of the Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.

(4)(A) Except to the extent otherwise provided in subparagraph (B) of this subsection, members of the Planning Commission shall receive compensation at the rate of $100 per day for each day they are engaged in the performance of their duties as members of the Commission. All members of the Commission shall be entitled to reimbursement for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties as members of the Commission.

(B) Any member of the Planning Commission who is designated or appointed from the Government of the United States or from the Government of the State shall serve without compensation in addition to that received in his regular employment. The member of the Commission appointed by the President pursuant to subsection (a) (1) (B) shall be compensated as provided by the President at a rate not in excess of that provided for level V of the Executive Schedule in title 5, United States Code.

(5) Subject to such rules and regulations as may be adopted by the Planning Commission, the co-chairmen, without regard to the Provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, shall have the power

(A) to appoint and fix the compensation of such staff personnel as they deem necessary, and

(B) to procure temporary and intermittent services to the same extent as is authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, but at rates not to exceed $100 a day for individuals.

(6)(A) The Planning Commission or, on the authorization of the Commission, any subcommittee or member thereof, may, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section, hold such hearings, take such testimony, receive such evidence, print or otherwise reproduce and distribute so much of its proceedings and reports thereon, and sit and act as such times and places as the Commission, subcommittee, or member deems advisable.

(B) Each department, agency, and instrumentality of the executive branch of the Federal Government, including independent agencies, is authorized and directed to furnish to the Commission, upon request made by a co-chairman, such information as the Commission deem necessary to carry out its functions under this section.

(7) The Planning Commission shall

(A) undertake a process of land-use planning, including the identification of and the making of recommendations concerning areas planned and best suited for permanent reservation in Federal ownership as parks, refuges, and other public uses, areas of Federal and State lands to be made available for disposal, and uses to be made of lands remaining in Federal and State ownership;

(B) make recommendations with respect to proposed land selections by the State under the Alaska Statehood Act and by Village and Regional Corporations under this Act;

(C) be available to advise upon and assist in the development and review of land-use plans for lands selected by the Native Village and Regional Corporations under this Act and by the State under the Alaska Statehood Act;

(D) review existing withdrawals of Federal public lands and recommend to the President of the United States such additions to or modifications of withdrawals as are deemed desirable;

(E) establish procedures, including public hearings, for obtaining public views on the land-use planning programs of the State and Federal Governments for lands under their administration;

(F) establish a committee of land-use advisers to the Commission, made up of representatives of commercial and industrial land users in Alaska, recreational land users, wilderness users, environmental groups, Alaska Natives, and other citizens;

(G) make recommendations to the President of the United States and the Governor of Alaska as to programs and budgets of the Federal and State agencies responsible for the administration of Federal and State lands;

(H) make recommendations from time to time to the President of the United States, Congress, and the Governor and legislature of the State as to changes in laws, policies, and programs that the Planning Commission determines are necessary or desirable;

(I) make recommendations to ensure that economic growth and development is orderly, planned and compatible with State and national environmental objectives, the public interest in the public lands, parks, forests, and wildlife refuges in Alaska, and the economic and social well-being of the Native people and other residents of Alaska;

(j) make recommendations to improve coordination and consultation between the State and Federal Governments in making resource allocation and land use decisions; and

(K) make recommendations on ways to avoid conflict between the State and the Native people in the selection of public lands.

(8) (A) On or before January 31 of each year, the Planning Commission shall submit to the President of the United States, the Congress, and the Governor and legislature of the State a written report with respect to its activities during the preceding calendar year.

(B) The Planning Commission shall keep and maintain accurate and complete records of its activities and transactions in carrying out its duties under this Act, and such records shall be avail, able for public inspection.

(C) The principal office of the Planning Commission shall be located in the State.

(9) (A) The United States shall be responsible for paying for any fiscal year only 50 per centum of the costs of carrying out subsections (a) and (b) for such fiscal year.

(B) For the purpose of meeting the responsibility of the United States in carrying out the provisions of this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $1,500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1972, and for each succeeding fiscal year.

(10) On or before May 30, 1976, the Planning Commission shall submit its final report to the President of the United States, the Congress, and the Governor and Legislature of the State with respect to its planning and other activities under this Act, together with its recommendations for programs or other actions which it determines should be taken or carried out by the United States and the State. The Commission shall cease to exist effective December 31, 1976.

(b) (1) The Planning Commission shall identify public easements across lands selected by Village Corporations and the Regional Corporations and at periodic points along the courses of major waterways which are reasonably necessary to guarantee international treaty obligations, a full right of public use and access for recreation, hunting, transportation, utilities, docks, and such other public uses as the Planning Commission determines to be important.

(2)In identifying public easements the Planning Commission shall consult with appropriate State and Federal agencies, shall review proposed transportation plans, and shall receive and review statements and recommendations from interested organizations and individuals on the need for and proposed location of public easements: Provided, That any valid existing right recognized by this Act shall continue to have whatever right of access as is now provided for under existing law and this subsection shall not operate in any way to diminish or limit such right of access.

(3) Prior to granting any patent under this Act to the Village Corporation and Regional Corporations, the Secretary shall consult with the State and the Planning Commission and shall reserve such public easements as he determines are necessary.

(c) In the event that the Secretary withdraws a utility and transportation corridor across public lands in Alaska pursuant to his existing authority, the State, the Village Corporations and the Regional Corporations shall not be permitted to select lands from the area withdrawn.

(d) (1) Public Land Order Numbered 4582, 34 Federal Register 1025, as amended, is hereby revoked. For a period of ninety days after the date of enactment of this Act all unreserved public lands in Alaska are hereby withdrawn from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws including the mining (except locations for metalliferous minerals) and the mineral leasing laws. During this period of time the Secretary shall review the public lands in Alaska and determine whether any portion of these lands should be withdrawn under authority provided for in existing law to insure that the public interest in these lands is properly protected. Any further withdrawal shall require an affirmative act by the Secretary under his existing authority, and the Secretary is authorized to classify or reclassify any lands so withdrawn and to open such lands to appropriation under the public land laws in accord with his classifications. Withdrawals pursuant to this paragraph shall not affect the authority of the Village Corporations, the Regional Corporations, and the State to make selections and obtain patents within the areas withdrawn pursuant to section 11.

(2) (A) The Secretary, acting under authority provided for in existing law, is directed to withdraw from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining and .mineral leasing laws, and from selection under the Alaska Statehood Act, and from selection by Regional Corporations pursuant to section 11, up to, but not to exceed, eighty million acres of unreserved public lands in the State of Alaska, including previously classified lands, which the Secretary deems are suitable for addition to or creation as units of the National Park, Forest, Wildlife Refuge, and Wild and Scenic Rivers Systems: Provided, That such withdrawals shall not affect the authority of the State and the Regional and Village Corporations to make selections and obtain patents within the areas withdrawn pursuant to section 11.

(B) Lands withdrawn pursuant to paragraph (A) hereof must be withdrawn within nine months of the date of enactment of this Act. All unreserved public lands not withdrawn under paragraph (A) or subsection 17 (d) (1) shall be available for selection by the State and for appropriation under the public land laws.

(C) Every six months, for a period of two years from the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall advise the Congress of the location, size, and values of lands withdrawn pursuant to paragraph (A) and submit his recommendations with respect to such lands. Any lands withdrawn pursuant to paragraph (A) not recommended for addition to or creation as units of the National Park, Forest, Wildlife Refuge, and Wild and Scenic Rivers Systems at the end of the two years shall be available for selection by the State and the Regional Corporations, and for appropriation under the public land laws.

(D) Areas recommended by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (C) shall remain withdrawn from any appropriation under the public land laws until such time as the Congress acts on the Secretary's recommendations, but not to exceed five years from the recommendation dates. The withdrawal of areas not so recommended shall terminate at the end of the two-year period.

(E) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, initial identification of lands desired to be selected by the State pursuant to the Alaska Statehood Act and by the Regional Corporations pursuant to Section 12 of this Act may be made within any area withdrawn pursuant to this subsection (d), but such lands shall not be tentatively approved or patented so long as the withdrawals of such areas remain in effect: Provided, That selection of lands by Village Corporations pursuant to Section 12 of this Act shall not be affected by such withdrawals and such lands selected may be patented and such rights granted as authorized by this Act. In the event Congress enacts legislation set, ting aside any areas withdrawn under the provisions of this subsection which the Regional Corporations or the State desired to select, then other unreserved public lands shall be made available for alternative selection by the Regional Corporations and the State. Any time periods established by law for Regional Corporations or State selections are hereby extended to the ex, tent that delays are caused by compliance with the provisions of this subsection (2).

(3) Any lands withdrawn under this section shall be subject to administration by the Secretary under applicable laws and regulations, and his authority to make contracts and to grant leases, permits, rights-of-way, or easements shall not be impaired by the withdrawal.

REVOCATION OF INDIAN ALLOTMENT

AUTHORITY IN ALASKA

SEC. 18. (a) No Native covered by the provisions of this Act, and no descendant of his, may hereafter avail himself of an allotment under the provisions of the Act of February 8, 1887 (24Stat. 389), as amended and supplemented, or the Act of June 25, 1910 (36 Stat. 363). Further, the Act of May 17, 1906 (34 Stat. 197), as amended, is hereby repealed. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, any application for an allotment that is pending before the Department of the Interior on the date of enactment of this Act may, at the option of the Native applicant, be approved and a patent issued in accordance with said 1887, 1910, or 1906 Act, as the case may be, in which event the Native shall not be eligible for a patent under subsection 14 (h)(5) of this Act.

(b) Any allotments approved pursuant to this section during the four years following enactment of this Act shall be charged against the two-million acre grant provided for in subsection 14 (h).

REVOCATION OF RESERVATIONS

SEC. 19. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and except where inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, the various reserves set aside by legislation or by Executive or Secretarial Order for Native use or for administration of Native affairs, including those created under the Act of May 31, 1938 (52 Stat. 593), are hereby revoked subject to any valid existing rights of non-Natives. This section shall not apply to the Annette Island Reserve established by the Act of March 3, 1891. (26 Stat. 1101) and no person enrolled in the Metlakatla Indian Community of the Annette Island Reserve shall be eligible for benefits under this Act.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or of this Act, any Village Corporation or Corporations may elect within two years to acquire title to the surface and subsurface estates in any reserve set aside for the use or benefit of its stockholders or members prior to the date of enactment of this Act. If two or more villages are located on such reserve the election must be made by all of the members or stockholders of the Village Corporations concerned. In such event, the Secretary shall convey the land to the Village Corporation or Corporations, subject to valid existing rights as provided in subsection 14 (g), and the Village Corporation shall not be eligible for any other land selections under this Act or to any distribution of Regional Corporation funds pursuant to section 7, and the enrolled residents of the Village Corporation shall not be eligible to receive Regional Corporation stock.

ATTORNEY AND CONSULTANT FEES

SEC. 20. (a) The Secretary of the Treasury shall hold in the Alaska Native Fund, from the appropriation made pursuant to section 6 for the second fiscal year, moneys sufficient to make the payments authorized by this section.

(b) A claim for attorney and consultant fees and out-of-pocket expenses may be submitted to the Chief Commissioner of the United States Court of Claims for services rendered before the date of enactment of this Act to any Native tribe, band, group, village, or association in connection with:

(1) the preparation of this Act and previously proposed Federal legislation to settle Native claims based on aboriginal title, and

(2) the actual prosecution pursuant to an authorized contract or a cause of action based upon a claim pending before any Federal or State Court or the Indians Claims Commission that is dismissed pursuant to this Act.

(c) A claim under this section must be filed with the clerk of the Court of Claims within one year from the date of enactment of this Act, and shall be in such form and contain such information as the Chief Commissioner shall prescribe. Claims not so filed shall be forever barred.

(d) The Chief Commissioner or his delegate is authorized to receive, determine, and settle such claims in accordance with the following rules:

(1) No claim shall be allowed if the claimant has otherwise been reimbursed.

(2) The amount allowed for services shall be based on the nature of the service rendered, the time and labor required, the need for providing the service, whether the service was intended to be a voluntary public service or compensable, the existence of a bona fide attorney-client relationship with an identified client, and the relationship of the service rendered to the enactment of proposed legislation. The amount allowed shall not be controlled by any hourly charge customarily charged by the claimant.

(3) The amount allowed for out-of pocket expenses shall not include office overhead, and shall be limited to expenses that were necessary, reasonable, unreimbursed, and actually incurred.

(4) The amounts allowed for services rendered shall not exceed in the aggregate $2,000,000, of which not more than $100,000 shall be available for the payment of consultants' fees. If the approved claims exceed the aggregate amounts allowable, the Chief Commissioner shall authorize payment of the claims on a pro rata basis.

(5) Upon the filing of a claim, the clerk of the Court of Claims shall forward a copy of such claims to the individuals or entities on whose behalf services were rendered or fees and expenses were allegedly incurred, as shown by the pleadings, to the Attorney General of the United States, to the Attorney General of the State of Alaska, to the Secretary of the Interior, and to any other person who appears to have an interest in the claim, and shall give such persons ninety days within which to file an answer contesting the claim.

(6) The Chief Commissioner may designate a trial commissioner for any claim made under this section and a panel of three commissioners of the court to serve as a reviewing body. One member of the review panel shall be designated as presiding commissioner of the panel.

(7) Proceedings in all claims shall be pursuant to rules and orders prescribed for the purpose by the Chief Commissioner who is hereby authorized and directed to require the application of the pertinent rules of practice of the Court of Claims insofar as feasible. Claimants may appear before a trial commissioner in person or by attorney, and may produce evidence and examine witnesses. In the discretion of the Chief Commissioner or his designate, hearings may be held in the localities where the claimants reside if convenience so demands.

(8) Each trial commissioner and each review panel shall have authority to do and perform any acts which may be necessary or proper for the efficient performance of their duties, and shall have the power of subpoena, the power to order audit of books and records, and the power to administer oaths and affirmations. Any sanction authorized by the rules of practice of the Court of Claims, except contempt, may be imposed on any claimant, witness, or attorney by the trial commissioner, review panel, or Chief Commissioner. None of the rules, regulations, rulings, findings, or conclusions authorized by this section shall be subject to judicial review.

(9) The findings and conclusions of the trial commissioner shall be submitted by him, together with the record in the case, to the review panel of commissioners for review by it pursuant to such rules as may be provided for the purpose, which shall include provision for submitting the decision of the trial commissioner to the claimant and any party contesting the claim for consideration, exception, and argument before the panel. The panel, by majority vote, shall adopt or modify the findings or the conclusions of the trial commissioner.

(10) The Court of Claims is hereby authorized and directed, under such conditions as it may prescribe, to provide the facilities and services of the office of the clerk of the court for the filing, processing, hearing, and dispatch of claims made pursuant to this section and to include within its annual appropriations the costs thereof and other costs of administration, including (but without limitation to the items herein listed) the salaries and traveling expenses of its auditors and the commissioners serving as trial commissioners and panel members, mailing and service of process, necessary physical facilities, equipment, and sup, plies, and personnel (including secretaries, reporters, auditors, and law clerks).

(e) The Chief Commissioner shall certify to the Secretary of the Treasury, and report to the Congress, the amount of each claim allowed and the name and address of the claimant. The Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to such person from the Alaska Native Fund the amounts certified. No award under this section shall bear interest.

(1) No remuneration on account of any services or expenses for which a claim is made or could be made pursuant to this section shall be received by any person for such services and expenses in addition to the amount paid in accordance with this section, and any contract or agreement to the contrary shall be void.

(2) Any person who receives, and any corporation or association official who pays, on account of such services and expenses, any remuneration in addition to the amount allowed in accordance with this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than twelve months, or both.

(g) A claim for actual costs incurred in filing protests, preserving land claims, advancing land claims settlement legislation, and presenting testimony to the Congress on proposed Native land claims may be submitted to the Chief Commissioner of the Court of Claims by any bona fide association of Natives. The claim must be submitted within six months from the date of enactment of this Act, and shall be in such form and contain such information as the Chief Commissioner shall prescribe. The Chief Commissioner shall allow such amounts as he determines are reasonable, but he shall allow no amount for attorney and consultant fees and expenses which shall be compensable solely under subsection (b) through (e). If approved, claims under this subsection aggregate more than $600,000, each claim shall be reduced on a pro rata basis. The Chief Commissioner shall certify to the Secretary of the Treasury, and report to the Congress, the amount of each claim allowed and the name and address of the claimant. The Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to such claimant from the Alaska Native Fund the amount certified. No award under this subsection shall bear interest.

TAXATION

SEC. 21. (a) Revenues originating from the Alaska Native Fund shall not be subject to any form of Federal, State, or local taxation at the time of receipt by a Regional Corporation, Village Corporation, or individual Native through dividend distributions or in any other manner. This exemption shall not apply to income from the investment of such revenues.

(b) The receipt of shares of stock in the Regional or Village Corporations by or on behalf of any Native shall not be subject to any form of Federal, State, or local taxation.

(c) The receipt of land or any interest therein pursuant to this Act or of cash in order to equalize the values of properties exchanged pursuant to subsection 22 (f) shall not be subject to any form of Federal, State, or local taxation. The basis for computing gain or loss on subsequent sale or other disposition of such land or interest in land for purposes of any Federal, State, or local tax imposed on or measured by income shall be the fair value of such land or interest in land at the time of receipt.

(d) Real property interests conveyed, pursuant to this Act, to a Native individual, Native group, or Village or Regional Corporation which are not developed or leased to third parties, shall

be exempt from State and local real property taxes for a period of twenty years after the date of enactment of this Act: Provided, That municipal taxes, local real property taxes, or local assessments may be imposed upon leased or developed real property within the jurisdiction of any governmental unit under the laws of the State: Provided further, That easements, rights-of-way, leaseholds, and similar interests in such real property may be taxed in accordance with State or local law. All rents, royalties, profits, and other revenues or proceeds derived from such property interests shall be taxable to the same extent as such revenues or proceeds are taxable when received by a non-Native individual or corporation.

(e) Real property interests conveyed pursuant to this Act to a Native individual, Native group, or Village or Regional Corporation shall, so long as the fee therein remains not subject to State or local taxes on real estate, continue to be regarded as public lands for the purpose of computing the Federal share of any highway project pursuant to title 23 of the United States Code, as amended and supplemented, for the purpose of the Johnson-O'Malley Act of April 16, 1934, as amended (25 U.S.C. 452), and for the Purpose of Public Laws 815 and 874, 81st Congress (64 Stat. 967, 1100), and so long as there are also no substantial revenues from such lands, continue to receive forest fire protection services from the United States at no cost.

MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 22. (a) None of the revenues granted by section 6, and none of the lands granted by this Act to the Regional and Village Corporation and to Native groups and individuals shall be subject to any contract which is based on a percentage fee of the value of all or some portion of the settlement granted by this Act. Any such contract shall not be enforceable against any Native as defined by this Act or any Regional or Village Corporation and the revenues and lands granted by this Act shall not be subject to lien, execution or judgement to fulfill such a contract.

(b) The Secretary is directed to promptly issue patents to all persons who have made a lawful entry on the public lands in compliance with the public land laws for the purpose of gaining title to homesteads, headquarters sites, trade and manufacturing sites, or small tract sites (43 U.S.C. 682), and who have fulfilled all requirements of the law prerequisite to obtaining a patent. Any person who has made a lawful entry prior to August 31, 1971, for any of the foregoing purposes shall be protected in his right of use and occupancy until all the requirements of law for a patent have been met even though the lands involved have been reserved or withdrawn in accordance with Public Land Order 4582, as amended, or the withdrawal provisions of this Act: Provided, That occupancy must have been maintained in accordance with the appropriate public land law: Provided further, That any person who entered on public lands in violation of Public Land Order 4582, as amended, shall gain no rights.

(c) On any lands conveyed to Village and Regional Corporations, any person who prior to August 31, 1971, initiated a valid mining claim or location under the general mining laws and recorded notice of said location with the appropriate State or local office shall be protected in his possessory rights, if all requirements of the general mining laws are complied with, for a period of five years and may, if all requirements of the general mining laws are complied with, proceed to patent.

(d) The provisions of Revised Statute 452 (43 U.S.C. 11) shall not apply to any land grants or other rights granted under this Act.

(e) If land within the National Wildlife Refuge System is selected by a Village Corporation pursuant to the provisions of this Act, the secretary shall add to the Refuge System other public lands in the State to replace the lands selected by the Village Corporation.

(f) The Secretary, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Agriculture are authorized to exchange any lands or interests therein of the Village Corporations, Regional Corporations, individuals, or the State for the purpose of effecting land consolidations or to facilitate the management or development of the land. Exchanges shall be on the basis of equal value, and either party to the exchange may pay or accept cash in order to equalize the value of the properties exchanged.

(g) If a patent is issued to any Village Corporation for land in the National Wildlife Refuge System, the patent shall reserve to the United States the right of first refusal if the land is ever sold by the Village Corporation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, every patent issued by the Secretary pursuant to this Act-which covers lands lying within the boundaries of a National Wildlife Refuge on the date of enactment of this Act shall contain a provision that such lands remain subject to the laws and regulations governing use and development of such Refuge.

(h)(1) All withdrawals made under this Act, except as otherwise provided in this subsection, shall terminate within four years of the date of enactment of this Act: Provided, That any lands selected by Village or Regional Corporations or by a Native group under section 12 shall remain withdrawn until conveyed pursuant to section 14.

(2) The withdrawal of lands made by subsection 11 (a) (2) and section 16 shall terminate three years from the date of enactment of this Act.

(3) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any withdrawals made under section 17 of this Act.

(4) The Secretary is authorized to terminate any withdrawal made by or pursuant to this Act whenever he determines that the withdrawal is no longer necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Act.

(i) Prior to a conveyance pursuant to section 14, lands withdrawn by or pursuant to sections 11, 14 and 16 shall be subject to administration by the Secretary, or by the Secretary of Agriculture in the case of National Forest lands, under applicable laws and regulations, and their authority to make contracts and to grant leases, permits, rights-of-way, or easements shall not be impaired by the withdrawal.

(J) In any area of Alaska for which protraction diagrams of the Bureau of Land Management or the State do not exist, or which does not conform to the United States Land Survey System, or which has not been surveyed in a manner adequate to withdraw and grant the lands provided for under this Act, the Secretary shall take such actions as are necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Act, and the deeds granted shall note that upon completion of an adequate survey appropriate adjustments will be made to ensure that the beneficiaries of the land grants receive their full entitlement.

(k) Any patents to lands under this Act which are located within the boundaries of a national forest shall contain such conditions as the Secretary deems necessary to assure that:

(1) the sale of any timber from such lands shall, for a period of five years, be subject to the same restrictions relating to the export of timber from the United States as are applicable to national forest lands in Alaska under rules and regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture; and

(2) such lands are managed under the principle of sustained yield and under management practices for protection and enhancement of environmental quality no less stringent than such management practices on adjacent national forest lands for a period of twelve years.

(1) Notwithstanding any provision of this Act, no Village or Regional Corporation shall

select lands which are within two miles from the boundary, as it exists on the date of enactment of this Act, of any home rule or first class city (excluding boroughs) or which are within six miles from the boundary of Ketchikan.

REVIEW BY CONGRESS

SEC. 23. The Secretary shall submit to the Congress annual reports on implementation of this Act. Such reports shall be filed by the Secretary annually until 1984. At the beginning of the first session of Congress in 1985 the Secretary shall submit, through the President, a report of the status of the Natives and Native groups n Alaska, and a summary of actions taken under this Act, together with such recommendations as may be appropriate.

APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 24. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

PUBLICATIONS

SEC. 25. The Secretary is authorized to issue and publish in the Federal Register, pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SAVING CLAUSE

SEC. 26. To the extent that there is a conflict between any provision of this Act and any other Federal laws applicable to Alaska, the provisions of this Act shall govern.

SEPARABILITY

SEC. 27. If any provision of this Act or the applicability thereof is held invalid, the remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby.

Approved December 18, 1971.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

HOUSE REPORTS. No. 92-523 (Comm. on Interior and Insular Affairs and No. 92,746 (Comm. of Conference).

SENATE REPORTS: No. 92-405 accompanying S. 35 (Comm. on Interior and Insular Affairs) and No. 92-581 (Comm. of Conference).

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 117 (1971):

Oct. 19, 20, considered and passed House.

Nov. 1, considered and passed Senate, amended, in lieu of S. 35.

Dec. 14, House and Senate agreed to conference report.

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