§1629h Kake Tribal Corporation Land Transfer

Summary

The law swaps certain lands around Kake, Alaska. If Alaska gives up its right to select about 1,389 acres shown on the May 2000 map, and Kake Tribal Corporation and Sealaska Corporation give all rights to about 1,430 acres to the City of Kake, then the Secretary of Agriculture must, within 180 days, give the surface rights of the 1,389 acres to Kake Tribal Corporation and the underground (subsurface) rights of those 1,389 acres to Sealaska Corporation. Of the land Alaska gives up and that goes to the City, 694.5 acres count against the State’s selections under section 6(a) and 694.5 acres count against section 6(b). The lands given to Kake and Sealaska are treated as lands conveyed under this law, but Kake’s receipt of land here does not reduce its remaining entitlement under section 1615(b). The law also allows the Secretary to swap with Sealaska the subsurface rights to about 1,127 acres for about 1,168 acres of Federal land in southeast Alaska if both the Forest Service and Sealaska agree. The 1,389-acre tract is temporarily closed to mining claims, land selections, and mineral or geothermal leasing until 18 months after the law’s effective date. Maps are kept on file with the Forest Service chief, the Interior Secretary, and the Petersburg Ranger District. The Forest Service may work with Kake Tribal Corporation and the City of Kake on a watershed plan and provide grants or contracts to help. The law only takes effect after conservation easements are signed that cover the two mapped KTC areas, require Kake Tribal Corporation to give up development rights there, and protect the land forever as a watershed, a municipal drinking water source under Alaska law, a water source for Gunnuk Creek Hatchery, and wildlife habitat. Money needed to carry out the law, including payment to Kake for giving up development rights, is authorized, but funds cannot be paid to Kake unless Kake is a party to the required easements.