BLM planning to transfer site to Alaska Native corporation

Tuesday, April 26, 2011  

The Bureau of Land Management is planning to transfer 11 acres to Sealaska Corporation, an Alaska Native regional corporation.

Sealaska requested the land in 1975 under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. The area is traditional fishing grounds for the Tlingit people.

"It's made it through a lot of hurdles," BLM spokesperson Tom Jennings told The Daily Sitka Sentinel. "It's not a final approval, but it hasn't met any reason for rejection at this point."

Non-Natives are worried Sealaska will restrict fishing but the corporation has no plans to do so, general counsel Jaleen Araujo said.

Get the Story:
Work proceeds on controversial land transfer in Southeast (The Daily Sitka Sentinel 4/26)