§1603 Declaration of Settlement

Summary

All past transfers of public land and water in Alaska under federal law, and tentative approvals under section 6(g) of the Alaska Statehood Act, are treated as ending any aboriginal title to those places. All aboriginal titles and claims in Alaska based on use or occupancy are ended. That includes submerged lands under inland and offshore waters and any aboriginal hunting or fishing rights. Also, all claims against the United States, the State, or anyone else that are based on aboriginal right, title, use, or occupancy, or on any U.S. statute or treaty about Native use and occupancy, or on foreign laws, including claims now pending in any federal or state court or the Indian Claims Commission, are ended.