Interior Alaska News

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, alongside Representative Mary Peltola, have introduced a bill to resolve Cape Fox Corporation's remaining land entitlement under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). The legislation has garnered support from various communities in Southeast Alaska.

The proposed law aims to waive a statutory requirement that currently obliges Cape Fox Corporation to use part of its ANCSA entitlement for remote parcels lacking economic value. Instead, it directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer a 180-acre tract in the Tongass National Forest to Cape Fox. This area was previously unavailable under ANCSA's original terms.

The land transfer would enable Cape Fox to consolidate ownership for constructing a road and transmission line connecting Mahoney Lake with the Beaver Falls Power Grid. Additionally, the subsurface estate of this tract will be conveyed to Sealaska Corporation, preventing another split estate between National Forest System surface lands and Sealaska subsurface lands.

Senator Lisa Murkowski stated, "Cape Fox was put at a disadvantage when it was forced to claim lands under ANCSA that offered no economic value to their village corporation." She emphasized that it is time "to right this more than half-century injustice."

Senator Dan Sullivan remarked on ANCSA's impact but acknowledged its imperfections: "Because of misguided restrictions in the legislation, the Alaska Native people of Saxman and surrounding communities have been denied the use of lands that would provide immense benefits for their residents."

Representative Mary Peltola highlighted the cultural significance: "Consistent access to our traditional lands is an inseparable part of cultural and economic well-being for Alaska Native people." She noted Don Young's past support for similar legislation due to its importance for Cape Fox and southern Southeast Alaska.

Chris Luchtefeld, CEO of Cape Fox Corporation, expressed gratitude towards the Alaskan Congressional Delegation: “We are thrilled to complete the CFC Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act lands acquisition after five decades.”

Cape Fox Corporation is an Alaska Native Village Corporation established under ANCSA for Saxman Village near Ketchikan. Initially limited by a six-mile restriction from Ketchikan’s boundary due to watershed protection needs, only non-productive mountainous areas were available for selection. The Annette Island Indian Reservation further restricted their selections within its area.