§1609 Limitation of Actions

Summary

Any lawsuit that says the United States did not have the power to make this law or that the law is illegal must be filed within one year of December 18, 1971, and only a properly authorized State official can bring that case. Only the United States District Court for the District of Alaska can hear those cases. The rule exists so the rights of the United States, Alaska Natives, and the State of Alaska become final and can be relied on. If the State starts or joins such a lawsuit, the State’s land-selection rights under the Alaska Statehood Act are paused for any public lands the Secretary finds may be valuable for minerals, timber, or other commercial uses. While paused, the State cannot make selections, get tentative approvals, or receive patents for those lands, and the time of the pause is added to the State’s selection period under section 6 of the Alaska Statehood Act.