[108th Congress Public Law 452]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
<DOC>
[DOCID: f:publ452.108]
[[Page 118 STAT. 3575]]
Public Law 108-452
108th Congress
An Act
To facilitate the transfer of land in the State of Alaska, and for other
purposes. <<NOTE: Dec. 10, 2004 - [S. 1466]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Alaska Land
Transfer Acceleration Act.>>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) <<NOTE: 43 USC 1601 note.>> Short Title.--This Act may be cited
as the ``Alaska Land Transfer Acceleration Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--STATE SELECTIONS AND CONVEYANCES
Sec. 101. Community grant selections and conveyances.
Sec. 102. Prioritization of land to be conveyed.
Sec. 103. Selection of certain reversionary interests held by the United
States.
Sec. 104. Effect of hydroelectric withdrawals.
Sec. 105. Entitlement for the University of Alaska.
Sec. 106. Settlement of remaining entitlement.
Sec. 107. Effect of Federal mining claims.
Sec. 108. Land mistakenly relinquished or omitted.
TITLE II--ALASKA NATIVE CLAIMS SETTLEMENT ACT
Sec. 201. Land available after selection period.
Sec. 202. Combined entitlements.
Sec. 203. Authority to convey by whole section.
Sec. 204. Conveyance of cemetery sites and historical places.
Sec. 205. Allocations based on population.
Sec. 206. Authority to withdraw land.
Sec. 207. Report on withdrawals.
Sec. 208. Automatic segregation of land for underselected Village
Corporations.
Sec. 209. Settlement of remaining entitlement.
TITLE III--NATIVE ALLOTMENTS
Sec. 301. Correction of conveyance documents.
Sec. 302. Title recovery of Native allotments.
Sec. 303. Native allotment revisions on land selected by or conveyed to
a Native Corporation.
Sec. 304. Compensatory acreage.
Sec. 305. Reinstatements and reconstructions.
Sec. 306. Amendments to section 41 of the Alaska Native Claims
Settlement Act.
TITLE IV--FINAL PRIORITIES; CONVEYANCE AND SURVEY PLANS
Sec. 401. Deadline for establishment of regional plans.
Sec. 402. Deadline for establishment of village plans.
Sec. 403. Final prioritization of ANCSA selections.
Sec. 404. Final prioritization of State selections.
TITLE V--ALASKA LAND CLAIMS HEARINGS AND APPEALS
Sec. 501. Alaska land claims hearings and appeals.
TITLE VI--REPORT AND AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
Sec. 601. Report.
Sec. 602. Authorization of appropriations.
[[Page 118 STAT. 3576]]
SEC. 2. <<NOTE: 43 USC 1602 note.>> DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Native allotment.--The term ``Native allotment'' means
an allotment claimed under the Act of May 17, 1906 (34 Stat.
197, chapter 2469).
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(3) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Alaska.
TITLE I--STATE SELECTIONS AND CONVEYANCES
SEC. 101. COMMUNITY GRANT SELECTIONS AND <<NOTE: 48 USC note prec.
21.>> CONVEYANCES.
(a) In General.--Section 6 of Public Law 85-508 (commonly known as
the ``Alaska Statehood Act'') (72 Stat. 340) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(n) The minimum tract selection size is waived with respect to a
selection made by the State of Alaska under subsection (a) for the
following selections:
National Forest Community Grant
Application Number Area Name Est. Acres
209 Yakutat Airport Addition 111
264 Bear Valley (Portage) 120
284 Hyder-Fish Creek 61
310 Elfin Cove 37
384 Edna Bay Admin Site 37
390 Point Hilda 29.''.
(b) Community Grant Selections.--Section 6 of Public Law 85-508
(commonly known as the ``Alaska Statehood Act'') (72 Stat. 340) (as
amended by subsection (a)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(o)(1) The State of Alaska may elect to convert a selection filed
under subsection (b) to a selection under subsection (a) by notifying
the Secretary of the Interior in writing.
``(2) If the State of Alaska makes an election under paragraph (1),
the entire selection shall be converted to a selection under subsection
(a).
``(3) The Secretary of the Interior shall not convey a total of more
than 400,000 acres of public domain land selected under subsection (a)
or converted under paragraph (1) to a public domain selection under
subsection (a).
``(4) Conversion of a selection under paragraph (1) shall not
increase the survey obligation of the United States with respect to the
land converted.
``(p) All selection applications of the State of Alaska that are on
file with the Secretary of the Interior under the public domain
provisions of subsection (a) on the date of enactment of this subsection
and any selection applications that are converted to a subsection (a)
selection under subsection (o)(1) are approved as suitable for community
or recreational purposes.''.
[[Page 118 STAT. 3577]]
SEC. 102. PRIORITIZATION OF LAND TO BE CONVEYED.
Section 906(h)(2) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation
Act (43 U.S.C. 1635(h)(2)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(2) As soon as practicable'' and inserting
the following:
``(2)(A) As soon as practicable'';
(2) by striking ``The sequence of'' and inserting the
following:
``(B)(i) The sequence of''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(ii) In establishing the priorities for tentative approval
under clause (i), the State shall--
``(I) in the case of a selection under section 6(a)
of Public Law 85-508 (commonly known as the `Alaska
Statehood Act') (72 Stat. 340), include all land
selected; or
``(II) in the case of a selection under section 6(b)
of that Act--
``(aa) include at least 5,760 acres; or
``(bb) if a waiver has been granted under
section 6(g) of that Act or less than 5,760 acres
of the entitlement remains, prioritize the
selection in such increments as are available for
conveyance.''.
SEC. 103. SELECTION <<NOTE: 43 USC 1635 note.>> OF CERTAIN
REVERSIONARY INTERESTS HELD BY THE UNITED
STATES.
(a) In General.--All reversionary interests held by the United
States in land owned by the State or any political subdivision of the
State and any Federal land leased by the State under the Act of August
23, 1950 (25 U.S.C. 293b), or the Act of June 4, 1953 (25 U.S.C. 293a),
that is prioritized for conveyance by the State under section 906(h)(2)
of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (43 U.S.C.
1635(h)(2))--
(1) are deemed to be selected; and
(2) may, with the concurrence of the Secretary or the head
of the Federal agency with administrative jurisdiction over the
land, be conveyed under section 6 of Public Law 85-508 (commonly
known as the ``Alaska Statehood Act'') (72 Stat. 340).
(b) Effect on Entitlement.--If, before the date of enactment of this
Act, the entitlement of the State has not been charged with respect to a
parcel for which a reversionary interest is conveyed under subsection
(a), the total acreage of the parcel shall be charged against the
remaining entitlement of the State.
(c) Minimum Acreage Requirement Not Applicable.--The minimum acreage
requirement under subsections (a) and (b) of section 6 of Public Law 85-
508 (commonly known as the ``Alaska Statehood Act'') (72 Stat. 340)
shall not apply to the selection of reversionary interests under
subsection (a).
(d) State Waiver.--On conveyance to the State of any reversionary
interest selected under subsection (a), the State shall be deemed to
have waived all right to any future credit should the reversion not
occur.
(e) Limitation.--This section shall not apply to--
(1) reversionary interests in land acquired by the United
States through the use of amounts from the Exxon Valdez Oil
Spill Trust Fund; or
[[Page 118 STAT. 3578]]
(2) reversionary interests in any land conveyed to the State
as a result of the ``Terms and Conditions for Land Consolidation
and Management in Cook Inlet Area'' as ratified by section 12 of
Public Law 94-204 (43 U.S.C. 1611 note).
SEC. 104. EFFECT OF HYDROELECTRIC WITHDRAWALS.
(a) Land Withdrawn, Reserved, or Classified for Power Site or Power
Project Purposes.--If the State has filed a future selection application
under section 906(e) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation
Act (43 U.S.C. 1635(e)) for land withdrawn, reserved, or classified for
power site or power project purposes, notwithstanding the withdrawal,
reservation, or classification for power site or power project purposes,
the following parcels of land shall be deemed to be vacant,
unappropriated, and unreserved within the meaning of Public Law 85-508
(commonly known as the ``Alaska Statehood Act'') (72 Stat. 339):
General Selection Application
Serial Number Area Name Number
AKAA 058747 Bradley Lake GS 5141
AKAA 058848 Bradley Lake GS 44
AKAA 058266 Eagle River/Ship Creek/Peters GS 1429
Creek
AKAA 058265 Eagle River/Ship Creek/Peters GS 1209
Creek
AKAA 058374 Salmon Creek GS 327
AKF 031321 Nenana River GS 2182
AKAA 059056 Solomon Gulch at Valdez GS 86
AKFF 085798 Kruzgamepa River Pass Creek GS 4096.
(b) Limitation.--Subsection (a) does not apply to any land that is--
(1) located within the boundaries of a conservation system
unit (as defined in section 102 of the Alaska National Interest
Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3102)); or
(2) otherwise unavailable for conveyance under Public Law
85-508 (commonly known as the ``Alaska Statehood Act'') (72
Stat. 339).
(c) Requirement Applicable to National Forest System Land.--Any land
described in subsection (a) that is in a unit of the National Forest
System shall not be conveyed unless the Secretary of Agriculture
approved the State selection before January 3, 1994.
(d) Requirements Applicable to Hydroelectric Applications and
Licensed Projects.--
(1) Hydroelectric applications.--Any selection of land
described in subsection (a) that is included in a hydroelectric
application--
(A) shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and
(B) shall not be conveyed while the hydroelectric
application is pending.
(2) Licensed project.--Any selection of land described in
subsection (a) that is included in a licensed project shall be
subject to--
[[Page 118 STAT. 3579]]
(A) the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission;
(B) the rights of third parties; and
(C) the right of reentry under section 24 of the
Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 818).
(e) Effect of Section.--Nothing in this section negates or
diminishes any right of an applicant to petition for restoration and
opening of land withdrawn or classified for power purposes under section
24 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 818).
SEC. 105. ENTITLEMENT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA.
(a) <<NOTE: 43 USC 852 note.>> In General.--As of January 1, 2003,
the remaining State entitlement for the benefit of the University of
Alaska under the Act of January 21, 1929 (45 Stat. 1091, chapter 92), is
456 acres.
(b) Reversionary Interests.--The Act of January 21, 1929 (45 Stat.
1091, chapter 92), <<NOTE: 43 USC 852 note.>> is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``Sec. 3. (a) The State of Alaska (referred to in this Act as the
`State'), acting on behalf of, and with the approval of, the University
of Alaska, may select--
``(1) any mineral interest (including an interest in oil or
gas) in land located in the State, the unreserved portion of
which is owned by the University of Alaska; or
``(2) any reversionary interest held by the United States in
land located in the State, the unreserved portion of which is
owned by the University of Alaska.
``(b) The total acreage of any parcel of land for which a partial
interest is conveyed under subsection (a) shall be charged against the
remaining entitlement of the State under this Act.
``(c) In taking title to a reversionary interest, the State, with
the approval of the University of Alaska, waives all right to any future
acreage credit if the reversion does not occur.
``Sec. 4. The Secretary may survey any vacant, unappropriated, and
unreserved land in the State for purposes of allowing selections under
this Act.
``Sec. 5. The authorized outstanding selections under this Act shall
be not more than--
``(1) 125 percent of the remaining entitlement; plus
``(2) the number of acres of land that are in conflict with
land owned by the University of Alaska, as identified in Native
allotment applications on record with the Bureau of Land
Management.''.
SEC. 106. SETTLEMENT <<NOTE: 43 USC 1635 note.>> OF REMAINING
ENTITLEMENT.
(a) In General.--The Secretary may enter into a binding written
agreement with the State with respect to--
(1) the exact number and location of acres of land remaining
to be conveyed under each entitlement established or confirmed
by Public Law 85-508 (commonly known as the ``Alaska Statehood
Act'') (72 Stat. 340), from--
(A) the land selected by the State as of January 3,
1994; and
(B) selections under the Act of January 21, 1929 (45
Stat. 1091, chapter 92);
(2) the priority in which the land is to be conveyed;
(3) the relinquishment of selections which are not to be
conveyed; and
[[Page 118 STAT. 3580]]
(4) the survey of the exterior boundaries of the land to be
conveyed.
(b) Consultation.--Before entering into an agreement under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that any concerns or issues
identified by any Federal agency potentially affected are given
consideration.
(c) Errors.--The State, by entering into an agreement under
subsection (a), shall receive any gain or bear any loss that results
from errors in prior surveys, protraction diagrams, or the computation
of the ownership of third parties on any land conveyed under an
agreement entered into under subsection (a).
(d) Availability of Agreements.--Agreements entered into under
subsection (a) shall be available for public inspection in the
appropriate offices of the Department of the Interior.
(e) Effect.--Nothing in this section increases the entitlement
provided to the State under Public Law 85-508 (commonly known as the
``Alaska Statehood Act'') (72 Stat. 340), or the Act of January 21, 1929
(45 Stat. 1091, chapter 92).
SEC. 107. EFFECT <<NOTE: 43 USC 1635 note.>> OF FEDERAL MINING
CLAIMS.
(a) Conditional Relinquishments.--
(1) In general.--To facilitate the conversion of Federal
mining claims to State mining claims on land selected or
topfiled by the State, a Federal mining claimant may file with
the Secretary a voluntary relinquishment of the Federal mining
claim conditioned on conveyance of the land to the State.
(2) Conveyance of relinquished claim.--The Secretary may
convey the land described in the relinquished Federal mining
claim to the State if, with respect to the land--
(A) the State has filed as of January 3, 1994--
(i) a selection application under Public Law
85-508 (commonly known as the ``Alaska Statehood
Act'') (72 Stat. 339); or
(ii) a future selection application under
section 906(e) of the Alaska National Interest
Lands Conservation Act 43 U.S.C. 1635(e)); and
(B) the land addressed by the selection application
or future selection application is conveyed to the
State.
(3) Obligations under federal law.--Until the date on which
the land is conveyed under paragraph (2), a Federal mining
claimant shall be subject to any obligations relating to the
land under Federal law.
(4) No relinquishment.--If the land previously encumbered by
the relinquished Federal mining claim is not conveyed to the
State under paragraph (2), the relinquishment of land under
paragraph (1) shall be of no effect.
(b) Rights-of-Way; Other Interest.--On conveyance to the State of a
relinquished Federal mining claim under this section, the State shall
assume authority over any leases, licenses, permits, rights-of-way,
operating plans, other land use authorizations, or reclamation
obligations applicable to the relinquished Federal mining claim on the
date of conveyance.
SEC. 108. LAND MISTAKENLY RELINQUISHED OR OMITTED.
Notwithstanding the selection deadlines under section 6(a) of Public
Law 85-508 (commonly known as the ``Alaska Statehood Act'') (72 Stat.
340)--
[[Page 118 STAT. 3581]]
(1) the State selection application AA-17607 NFCG 75,
located in the Chugach National Forest, is reinstated to the
parcels of land originally selected in 1978, which are more
particularly described as--
(A) S\1/2\ sec. 14, T. 11 S., R. 11 W., of the
Copper River Meridian;
(B) S\1/2\ sec. 15, T. 11 S., R. 11 W., of the
Copper River Meridian;
(C) E\1/2\SE\1/4\ sec. 16, T. 11 S., R. 11 W., of
the Copper River Meridian;
(D) E\1/2\, E\1/2\W\1/2\, SW\1/4\SW\1/4\ sec. 21, T.
11 S., R. 11 W., of the Copper River Meridian;
(E) N\1/2\, SW\1/4\, N\1/2\SE\1/4\ sec. 22, T. 11
S., R. 11 W., of the Copper River Meridian;
(F) N\1/2\, SW\1/4\, N\1/2\SE\1/4\ sec. 23, T. 11
S., R. 11 W., of the Copper River Meridian;
(G) NW\1/4\ sec. 27, T. 11 S., R. 11 W., of the
Copper River Meridian; and
(H) N\1/2\N\1/2\, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\ sec. 28, T. 11 S.,
R. 11 W., of the Copper River Meridian; and
(2) the following parcels of land are considered topfiled
under section 906(e) of the Alaska National Interest Lands
Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 1635(e)):
(A) The parcels of land omitted from the State's
topfiling of the Utility and Transportation Corridor,
and other parcels of land encompassing the Trans-Alaska
Pipeline System, withdrawn by Public Land Order No. 5150
(except for any land within the boundaries of a
conservation system unit), which are more particularly
described as--
(i) secs. 1-30, 32-36, T. 27 N., R. 11 W., of
the Fairbanks Meridian;
(ii) secs. 10, 13-18, 21-28, and 33-36, T. 20
N., R. 13 W., of the Fairbanks Meridian;
(iii) secs. 13, 14, and 15, T. 20 N., R. 14
W., of the Fairbanks Meridian;
(iv) secs. 1-5, 8-17, and 20-28, T. 19 N., R.
13 W., of the Fairbanks Meridian;
(v) secs. 29-32, T. 20 N., R. 16 W., of the
Fairbanks Meridian;
(vi) secs. 5-11, 14-23, and 25-36, T. 19 N.,
R. 16 W., of the Fairbanks Meridian;
(vii) secs. 30 and 31, T. 19 N., R. 15 W., of
the Fairbanks Meridian;
(viii) secs. 5 and 6, T. 18 N., R. 15 W., of
the Fairbanks Meridian;
(ix) secs. 1-2 and 7-34, T. 16 N., R. 14 W.,
of the Fairbanks Meridian; and
(x) secs. 4-9, T. 15 N., R. 14 W., of the
Fairbanks Meridian.
(B) Secs. 1, 2, 11-14, T. 10 S., R. 42 W., of the
Seward Meridian.
[[Page 118 STAT. 3582]]
TITLE II--ALASKA NATIVE CLAIMS SETTLEMENT ACT
SEC. 201. LAND <<NOTE: 43 USC 1611 note.>> AVAILABLE AFTER
SELECTION PERIOD.
(a) In General.--To make certain Federal land available for
conveyance to a Native Corporation that has sufficient remaining
entitlement, the Secretary may waive the filing deadlines under sections
12 and 16 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1611,
1615) if--
(1) the Federal land is--
(A) located in a township in which all or any part
of a Native Village is located; or
(B) surrounded by--
(i) land that is owned by the Native
Corporation; or
(ii) selected land that will be conveyed to
the Native Corporation;
(2) the Federal land--
(A) became available after the end of the original
selection period;
(B)(i) was not selected by the Native Corporation
because the Federal land was subject to a competing
claim or entry; and
(ii) the competing claim or entry has lapsed; or
(C) was previously an unavailable Federal enclave
within a Native selection withdrawal area;
(3)(A) the Secretary provides the Native Corporation with a
specific time period in which to decline the Federal land; and
(B) the Native Corporation does not submit to the Secretary
written notice declining the land within the period established
under subparagraph (A); and
(4) the State has voluntarily relinquished any valid State
selection or top-filing for the Federal land.
(b) Congressional Action.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to a
parcel of Federal land if Congress has specifically made other
provisions for disposition of the parcel of Federal land.
SEC. 202. COMBINED ENTITLEMENTS.
Section 12 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C.
1611) is amended--
(1) in the second sentence of subsection (b), by striking
``Regional Corporation shall'' and inserting ``Regional
Corporation shall, not later than October 1, 2005,''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(f)(1) The entitlements received by any Village Corporation under
subsection (a) and the reallocations made to the Village Corporation
under subsection (b) may be combined, at the discretion of the
Secretary, without--
``(A) increasing or decreasing the combined entitlement; or
``(B) increasing the limitation on selections of Wildlife
Refuge System land, National Forest System land, or State-
selected land under subsection (a).
[[Page 118 STAT. 3583]]
``(2) The combined entitlement under paragraph (1) may be fulfilled
from selections under subsection (a) or (b) without regard to the
entitlement specified in the selection application.
``(3) All selections under a combined entitlement under paragraph
(1) shall be adjudicated and conveyed in compliance with this Act.
``(4) Except in a case in which a survey has been contracted for
before the date of enactment of this subsection, the combination of
entitlements under paragraph (1) shall not require separate patents or
surveys, to distinguish between conveyances made to a Village
Corporation under subsections (a) and (b).''.
SEC. 203. AUTHORITY TO CONVEY BY WHOLE SECTION.
Section 14(d) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C.
1613(d)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(d) the Secretary'' and inserting the
following:
``(d)(1) The Secretary''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) <<NOTE: Applicability.>> For purposes of applying the
rule of approximation under this section, the largest legal
subdivision that may be conveyed in excess of the applicable
acreage limitation specified in subsection (a) shall be--
``(A) in the case of land managed by the Bureau of
Land Management that is not within a conservation system
unit, the next whole section;
``(B) in the case of land managed by an agency other
than the Bureau of Land Management that is not within a
conservation system unit, the next quarter-section and
only with concurrence of the agency; or
``(C) in the case of land within a conservation
system unit, a quarter of a quarter section, and if the
land is managed by an agency other than the Bureau of
Land Management, only with the concurrence of that
agency.
``(3)(A) If the Secretary determines pursuant to paragraph (2) that
an entitlement of a Village Corporation (other than a Village
Corporation listed in section 16(a)) or a Regional Corporation may be
fulfilled by conveying a specific tract of surveyed or unsurveyed land,
the Secretary and the affected Village or Regional Corporation may enter
into an agreement providing that all land entitlements under this Act
shall be deemed satisfied by conveyance of the specifically identified
and agreed upon tract of land.
``(B) An agreement entered into under subparagraph (A) shall be--
``(i) in writing;
``(ii) executed by the Secretary and the Village or Regional
Corporation; and
``(iii) authorized by a corporate resolution adopted by the
affected Village or Regional Corporation.
``(C) After execution of an agreement under subparagraph (A) and
conveyance of the agreed upon tract to the affected Village or Regional
Corporation--
``(i) the Secretary shall not make any further adjustments
to calculations relating to acreage entitlements of the Village
or Regional Corporation; and
``(ii) the Village or Regional Corporation shall not be
entitled to any further conveyances under this Act.
[[Page 118 STAT. 3584]]
``(D) A Village or Regional Corporation shall not be eligible to
receive land under subparagraph (A) if the Village or Regional
Corporation has received the full land entitlement of the Village or
Regional Corporation through--
``(i) an actual conveyance of land; or
``(ii) a previous agreement.
``(E) If the calculations of the Secretary indicate that the final
survey boundaries for any Village or Regional Corporation entitlement
for which an agreement has not been entered into under this paragraph
include acreage in a quantity that exceeds the statutory entitlement of
the corporation by \1/10\ of 1 percent or less, but not more than the
applicable acreage limitation specified in paragraph (2)--
``(i) the entitlement shall be considered satisfied by the
conveyance of the surveyed area; and
``(ii) the Secretary shall not change the survey for the
sole purpose of an acreage adjustment.
``(F) This paragraph does not limit or otherwise affect the ability
of a Village or Regional Corporation to enter into land exchanges with
the United States.''.
SEC. 204. CONVEYANCE OF CEMETERY SITES AND HISTORICAL PLACES.
Section 14(h)(1) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43
U.S.C. 1613(h)(1)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(1) The Secretary'' and inserting the
following:
``(1)(A) The Secretary'';
(2) by striking ``Only title'' and inserting the following:
``(B) Only title''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(C)(i) Notwithstanding acreage allocations made
before the date of enactment of this subparagraph, the
Secretary may convey any cemetery site or historical
place--
``(I) with respect to which there is an
application on record with the Secretary on the
date of enactment of this paragraph; and
``(II) that is eligible for conveyance.
``(ii) <<NOTE: Applicability.>> Clause (i) shall
also apply to any of the 188 closed applications that
are determined to be eligible and reinstated under
Secretarial Order No. 3220 dated January 5, 2001.
``(D) No applications submitted for the conveyance
of land under subparagraph (A) that were closed before
the date of enactment of this paragraph may be
reinstated other than those specified in subparagraph
(C)(ii).
``(E) After the date of enactment of this
paragraph--
``(i) no application may be filed for the
conveyance of land under subparagraph (A); and
``(ii) no pending application may be amended,
except as necessary to conform the application to
the description in the certification of
eligibility of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
``(F) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Unless, not later than 1
year after the date of enactment of this paragraph, a
Regional Corporation that has filed an application for a
historic place submits to
[[Page 118 STAT. 3585]]
the Secretary a statement on the significance of and the
location of the historic place--
``(i) the application shall not be valid; and
``(ii) the Secretary shall reject the
application.
``(G) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> The State and the head of
the Federal agency with administrative jurisdiction over
the land shall have 30 days to provide written comments
to the Secretary--
``(i) identifying any third party interest to
which a conveyance under subparagraph (A) should
be made subject; and
``(ii) describing any easements recommended
for reservation.''.
SEC. 205. ALLOCATIONS BASED ON POPULATION.
Section 14(h)(8) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43
U.S.C. 1613(h)(8)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(C)(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
subsection, as soon as practicable after enactment of
this subparagraph, the Secretary shall allocate to a
Regional Corporation eligible for an allocation under
subparagraph (A) the Regional Corporation's share of
200,000 acres from lands withdrawn under this
subsection, to be credited against acreage to be
allocated to the Regional Corporation under subparagraph
(A).
``(ii) <<NOTE: Applicability.>> Clause (i) shall
apply to Chugach Alaska Corporation pursuant to the
terms of the 1982 CNI Settlement Agreement.
``(iii) With respect to Cook Inlet Region, Inc., or
Koniag, Inc.--
``(I) clause (i) shall not apply; and
``(II) the portion of the 200,000 acres
allocated to Cook Inlet Region Inc. or Koniag,
Inc., shall be retained by the United States.
``(iv) This subparagraph shall not affect any prior
agreement entered into by a Regional Corporation other
than the agreements specifically referred to in this
subparagraph.''.
SEC. 206. AUTHORITY TO WITHDRAW LAND.
Section 14(h)(10) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43
U.S.C. 1613(h)(10)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(10) Notwithstanding'' and inserting the
following:
``(10)(A) Notwithstanding''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) If a Regional Corporation does not have enough valid
selections on file to fulfill the remaining entitlement of the
Regional Corporation under paragraph (8), the Secretary may use
the withdrawal authority under subparagraph (A) to withdraw land
that is vacant, unappropriated, and unreserved on the date of
enactment of this subparagraph for selection by, and conveyance
to, the Regional Corporation to fulfill the entitlement.''.
SEC. 207. REPORT ON WITHDRAWALS.
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary shall--
[[Page 118 STAT. 3586]]
(1) review the withdrawals made pursuant to section 17(d)(1)
of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C.
1616(d)(1)) to determine if any portion of the lands withdrawn
pursuant to that provision can be opened to appropriation under
the public land laws or if their withdrawal is still needed to
protect the public interest in those lands;
(2) <<NOTE: Public information.>> provide an opportunity for
public notice and comment, including recommendations with regard
to lands to be reviewed under paragraph (1); and
(3) submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of
Representatives a report that identifies any portion of the
lands so withdrawn that can be opened to appropriation under the
public land laws consistent with the protection of the public
interest in these lands.
SEC. 208. AUTOMATIC SEGREGATION OF LAND FOR UNDERSELECTED VILLAGE
CORPORATIONS.
Section 22(j) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C.
1621(j)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(3) In lieu of withdrawal under paragraph (2), land may be
segregated from all other forms of appropriation for the
purposes described in that paragraph if--
``(A) the Secretary and the Village Corporation
enter into an agreement identifying the land for
selection; and
``(B) the Village Corporation files an application
for selection of the land.''.
SEC. 209. SETTLEMENT OF REMAINING <<NOTE: 43 USC 1611
note.>> ENTITLEMENT.
(a) In General.--The Secretary may enter into a binding written
agreement with a Native Corporation relating to--
(1) the land remaining to be conveyed to the Native
Corporation under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43
U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) from land selected as of September 1, 2004,
or land made available under section 201, 206, or 208 of this
Act;
(2) the priority in which the land is to be conveyed;
(3) the relinquishment of selections which are not to be
conveyed;
(4) the selection entitlement to which selections are to be
charged, regardless of the entitlement under which originally
selected;
(5) the survey of the exterior boundaries of the land to be
conveyed;
(6) the additional survey to be performed under section
14(c) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C.
1613(c)); and
(7) the resolution of conflicts with Native allotment
applications.
(b) Requirements.--An agreement under subsection (a)--
(1) shall be authorized by a resolution of the Native
Corporation entering into the agreement; and
(2) shall include a statement that the entitlement of the
Native Corporation shall be considered complete on execution of
the agreement.
(c) Correction of Conveyance Documents.--In an agreement under
subsection (a), the Secretary and the Native Corporation may agree to
make technical corrections to the legal description
[[Page 118 STAT. 3587]]
in the conveyance documents for easements previously reserved so that
the easements provide the access intended by the original reservation.
(d) Consultation.--Before entering into an agreement under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that the concerns or issues
identified by the State and all Federal agencies potentially affected by
the agreement are given consideration.
(e) Errors.--Any Native Corporation entering into an agreement under
subsection (a) shall receive any gain or bear any loss resulting from
errors in prior surveys, protraction diagrams, or computation of the
ownership of third parties on any land conveyed.
(f) Effect.--
(1) In general.--An agreement under subsection (a) shall
not--
(A) affect the obligations of Native Corporations
under prior agreements; or
(B) result in a Native Corporation relinquishing
valid selections of land in order to qualify for the
withdrawal of other tracts of land.
(2) Effect on subsurface rights.--The terms of an agreement
entered into under subsection (a) shall be binding on a Regional
Corporation with respect to the location and quantity of
subsurface rights of the Regional Corporation under section
14(f) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C.
1613(f)).
(3) Effect on entitlement.--Nothing in this section
increases the entitlement provided to any Native Corporation
under--
(A) the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43
U.S.C. 1601 et seq.); or
(B) the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation
Act (16 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.).
(g) Boundaries of a Native Village.--An agreement entered into under
subsection (a) may not define the boundaries of a Native Village.
(h) Availability of Agreements.--An agreement entered into under
subsection (a) shall be available for public inspection in the
appropriate offices of the Department of the Interior.
TITLE III--NATIVE ALLOTMENTS
SEC. 301. CORRECTION OF CONVEYANCE DOCUMENTS.
Section 18 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C.
1617) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(d)(1) If an allotment application is valid or would have been
approved under section 905 of the Alaska National Interests Lands
Conservation Act (43 U.S.C. 1634) had the land described in the
application been in Federal ownership on December 2, 1980, the Secretary
may correct a conveyance to a Native Corporation or to the State that
includes land described in the allotment application to exclude the
described allotment land with the written concurrence of the Native
Corporation or the State.
``(2) A written concurrence shall--
``(A) include a finding that the land description proposed
by the Secretary is acceptable; and
[[Page 118 STAT. 3588]]
``(B) attest that the Native Corporation or the State has
not--
``(i) granted any third party rights or taken any
other action that would affect the ability of the United
States to convey full title under the Act of May 17,
1906 (34 Stat. 197, chapter 2469); and
``(ii) stored or allowed the deposit of hazardous
waste on the land.
``(3) On receipt of an acceptable written concurrence, the
Secretary, shall--
``(A) issue a corrected conveyance document to the State or
Native Corporation, as appropriate; and
``(B) issue a certificate of allotment to the allotment
applicant.
``(4) No documents of reconveyance from the State or an Alaska
Native Corporation or evidence of title, other than the written
concurrence and attestation described in paragraph (2), are necessary to
use the procedures authorized by this subsection.''.
SEC. 302. TITLE RECOVERY OF NATIVE <<NOTE: 43 USC 1617
note.>> ALLOTMENTS.
(a) In General.--In lieu of the process for the correction of
conveyance documents available under subsection (d) of section 18 of the
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (as added by section 301), any
Native Corporation may elect to reconvey all of the land encompassed by
an allotment claim or a portion of the allotment claim agreeable to the
applicant in satisfaction of the entire claim by tendering a valid and
appropriate deed to the United States.
(b) Certificate of Allotment.--If the United States determines that
the allotment application is valid or would have been approved under
section 905 of the Alaska National Interests Lands Conservation Act (42
U.S.C. 1634) had the land described in the allotment application been in
Federal ownership on December 2, 1980, and obtains title evidence
acceptable under the Department of Justice title standards, the United
States shall accept the deed from the Native Corporation and issue a
certificate of allotment to the allotment applicant.
(c) Probate Not Required.--If the Native Corporation reconveys the
entire interest of the Native Corporation in the allotment claim of a
deceased applicant, the United States may accept the deed and issue the
certificate of allotment without waiting for a determination of heirs or
the approval of a will.
(d) No Liability.--The United States shall not be subject to
liability under Federal or State law for the presence of any hazardous
substance in land or an interest in land solely as a result of any
reconveyance to, and transfer by, the United States of land or interests
in land under this section.
SEC. 303. NATIVE ALLOTMENT REVISIONS ON LAND SELECTED BY OR
CONVEYED TO A NATIVE CORPORATION.
Section 18 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C.
1617) (as amended by section 301) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(e)(1) An allotment applicant who had an application pending
before the Department of the Interior on December 18, 1971, and whose
application is still open on the records of the Department of the
Interior as of the date of enactment of this subsection may
[[Page 118 STAT. 3589]]
revise the land description in the application to describe land other
than the land that the applicant originally intended to claim if--
``(A) the application--
``(i) describes land selected by or conveyed by
interim conveyance or patent to a Native Corporation
formed to receive benefits under this Act; or
``(ii) otherwise conflicts with an interest in land
granted to a Native Corporation by the United States;
``(B) the revised land description describes land selected
by or conveyed by interim conveyance or patent to a Native
Corporation of approximately equal acreage in substitution for
the land described in the original application;
``(C) the Director of the Bureau of Land Management has not
adopted a final plan of survey for the final entitlement of the
Native Corporation or its successor in interest; and
``(D) the Native Corporation that selected the land or its
successor in interest provides a corporate resolution
authorizing reconveyance or relinquishment to the United States
of the land, or interest in land, described in the revised
application.
``(2) The land description in an allotment application may not be
revised under this section unless the Secretary has determined--
``(A) that the allotment application is valid or would have
been approved under section 905 of the Alaska National Interest
Lands Conservation Act (43 U.S.C. 1634) had the land in the
allotment application been in Federal ownership on December 2,
1980;
``(B) in consultation with the administering agency, that
the proposed revision would not create an isolated inholding
within a conservation system unit (as defined in section 102 of
the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C.
3102)); and
``(C) that the proposed revision will facilitate completion
of a land transfer in the State.
``(3)(A) <<NOTE: Certification.>> On obtaining title evidence
acceptable under Department of Justice title standards and acceptance of
a reconveyance or relinquishment from a Native Corporation under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall issue a Native allotment certificate
to the applicant for the land reconveyed or relinquished by the Native
Corporation.
``(B) Any allotment revised under this section shall, when allotted,
be made subject to any easement, trail, right-of-way, or any third-party
interest (other than a fee interest) in existence on the revised
allotment land on the date of revision.''.
SEC. 304. COMPENSATORY <<NOTE: Records. 43 USC 1617 note.>> ACREAGE.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall adjust the acreage entitlement
computation records for the State or an affected Native Corporation to
account for any difference in the amount of acreage between the
corrected description and the previous description in any conveyance
document as a result of actions taken under section 18(d) of the Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act (as added by section 301) or section 18(e)
of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (as added by section 303), or
for other voluntary reconveyances to the United States for the purpose
of facilitating land transfers in the State.
(b) Limitation.--No adjustment to the acreage conveyance
computations shall be made where the State or an affected Native
[[Page 118 STAT. 3590]]
Corporation retains a partial estate in the described allotment land.
(c) Availability of Additional Land.--If, as a result of
implementation under section 18(d) of the Alaska Native Claims
Settlement Act (as added by section 301) or any voluntary reconveyance
to facilitate a land transfer, a Village Corporation has insufficient
remaining selections from which to receive its full entitlement under
the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, the Secretary may use the
authority and procedures available under paragraph (3) of section 22(j)
of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1621(j)) (as added
by section 208) to make additional land available for selection by the
Village Corporation.
SEC. 305. REINSTATEMENTS AND RECONSTRUCTIONS.
Section 18 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C.
1617) (as amended by section 303) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(f)(1) If an applicant for a Native allotment filed under the Act
of May 17, 1906 (34 Stat. 197, chapter 2469) petitions the Secretary to
reinstate a previously closed Native allotment application or to accept
a reconstructed copy of an application claimed to have been timely filed
with an agency of the Department of the Interior, the United States--
``(A) may seek voluntary reconveyance of any land described
in the application that is reinstated or reconstructed after the
date of enactment of this subsection; but
``(B) shall not file an action in any court to recover title
from a current landowner.
``(2) A certificate of allotment that is issued for any allotment
application for which a request for reinstatement or reconstruction is
received or accepted after the date of enactment of this subsection
shall be made subject to any Federal appropriation, trail, right-of-way,
easement, or existing third party interest of record, including third
party interests created by the State, without regard to the date on
which the Native allotment applicant initiated use and occupancy.''.
SEC. 306. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 41 OF THE ALASKA NATIVE CLAIMS
SETTLEMENT ACT.
Section 41(b) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C.
1629g(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting before the semicolon
at the end the following: ``(except that the term `nonmineral',
as used in that Act, shall for the purpose of this subsection be
defined as provided in section 905(a)(3) of the Alaska National
Interest Lands Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 1634(a)(3)), except
that such definition shall not apply to land within a
conservation system unit)''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C)
as clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), respectively, and
indenting the clauses appropriately;
(B) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(2)'';
(C) in clause (ii) (as redesignated by subparagraph
(A)), by inserting after ``Department of Veterans
Affairs'' the following: ``or based on other evidence
acceptable to the Secretary''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
[[Page 118 STAT. 3591]]
``(B)(i) <<NOTE: Deadline. Records.>> If the
Secretary requests that the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs make a determination whether a veteran died as a
direct consequence of a wound received in action, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, within 60 days of
receipt of the request--
``(I) provide a determination to the Secretary
if the records of the Department of Veterans
Affairs contain sufficient information to support
such a determination; or
``(II) <<NOTE: Notification.>> notify the
Secretary that the records of the Department of
Veterans Affairs do not contain sufficient
information to support a determination and that
further investigation will be necessary.
``(ii) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Not later than 1 year
after notification to the Secretary that further
investigation is necessary, the Department of Veterans
Affairs shall complete the investigation and provide a
determination to the Secretary.''.
TITLE IV--FINAL PRIORITIES; CONVEYANCE AND SURVEY PLANS
SEC. 401. DEADLINE FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF REGIONAL <<NOTE: 43 USC
1611 note.>> PLANS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination and consultation
with Native Corporations, other Federal land management agencies, and
the State, shall update and revise the 12 preliminary Regional
Conveyance and Survey Plans.
(b) Inclusions.--The updated and revised plans under subsection (a)
shall identify any conflicts to be resolved and recommend any actions
that should be taken to facilitate the finalization of land conveyances
in a region by 2009.
SEC. 402. DEADLINE FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF VILLAGE <<NOTE: 43 USC
1611 note.>> PLANS.
Not later than 30 months after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary, in coordination with affected Federal land management
agencies, the State, and Village Corporations, shall complete a final
closure plan with respect to the entitlements for each Village
Corporation under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C.
1601 et seq.).
SEC. 403. FINAL PRIORITIZATION OF ANCSA <<NOTE: 43 USC 1611
note. Deadlines.>> SELECTIONS.
(a) In General.--Any Native Corporation that has not received its
full entitlement or entered into a voluntary, negotiated settlement of
final entitlement shall submit the final, irrevocable priorities of the
Native Corporation--
(1) in the case of a Village, Group, or Urban Corporation
entitlement, not later than 36 months after the date of
enactment of this Act; and
(2) in the case of a Regional Corporation entitlement, not
later than 42 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
(b) Acreage Limitations.--The priorities submitted under subsection
(a) shall not exceed land that is the greater of--
(1) not more than 125 percent of the remaining entitlement;
or
(2) not more than 640 acres in excess of the remaining
entitlement.
[[Page 118 STAT. 3592]]
(c) Corrections.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
priorities submitted under subsection (a) may not be revoked,
rescinded, or modified by the Native Corporation.
(2) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Technical corrections.--Not later
than 90 days after the date of receipt of a notification by the
Secretary that there appears to be a technical error in the
priorities, the Native Corporation may correct the technical
error in accordance with any recommendations of, and in a manner
prescribed by or acceptable to, the Secretary.
(d) Relinquishment.--
(1) In general.--As of the date on which the Native
Corporation submits its final priorities under subsection (a)--
(A) any unprioritized, remaining selections of the
Native Corporation--
(i) are relinquished, but any part of the
selections may be reinstated for the purpose of
correcting a technical error; and
(ii) have no further segregative effect; and
(B) all withdrawals under sections 11 and 16 of the
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1610,
1615) under the relinquished selections are terminated.
(2) Records.--All relinquishments under paragraph (1) shall
be included in Bureau of Land Management land records.
(e) Failure To Submit Priorities.--If a Native Corporation fails to
submit priorities by the deadline specified in subsection (a)--
(1) with respect to a Native Corporation that has priorities
on file with the Secretary, the Secretary--
(A) shall convey to the Native Corporation the
remaining entitlement of the Native Corporation, as
determined based on the most recent priorities of the
Native Corporation on file with the Secretary and in
accordance with the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act
(43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.); and
(B) may reject any selections not needed to fulfill
the entitlement; or
(2) with respect to a Native Corporation that does not have
priorities on file with the Secretary, the Secretary shall
satisfy the entitlement by conveying land selected by the
Secretary, in consultation with the appropriate Native
Corporation, the Federal land managing agency with
administrative jurisdiction over the land to be conveyed, and
the State, that, to the maximum extent practicable, is--
(A) compact;
(B) contiguous to land previously conveyed to the
Native Corporation; and
(C) consistent with the applicable preliminary
Regional Conveyance and Survey Plan referred to in
section 401.
(f) Plan of Conveyance.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall--
(A) identify any Native Corporation that does not
have sufficient priorities on file;
(B) develop priorities for the Native Corporation in
accordance with subsection (e); and
[[Page 118 STAT. 3593]]
(C) provide to the Native Corporation a plan of
conveyance based on the priorities developed under
subparagraph (B).
(2) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Finalized selections.--Not later
than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary provides a
plan of conveyance to the affected Village, Group, or Urban
Corporation and the Regional Corporation, the Regional
Corporation shall finalize any Regional selections that are in
conflict with land selected by the Village, Group, or Urban
Corporation that has not been prioritized by the deadline under
subsection (a)(1).
(g) Dissolved or Lapsed Corporations.--
(1)(A) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> If a Native Corporation is lapsed
or dissolved at the time final priorities are required to be
filed under this section and does not have priorities on file
with the Secretary, the Secretary shall establish a deadline for
the filing of priorities that shall be one year from the
provisions of notice of the deadline.
(B) <<NOTE: Notification.>> To fulfill the notice
requirement under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
(i) <<NOTE: Publication.>> publish notice of the
deadline to a lapsed or dissolved Native Corporation in
a newspaper of general circulation nearest the locality
where the affected land is located; and
(ii) seek to notify in writing the last known
shareholders of the lapsed or dissolved corporation.
(C) <<NOTE: Notification.>> If a Native Corporation does not
file priorities with the Secretary before the deadline set
pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall notify
Congress.
(2) If a Native Corporation with final priorities on file
with the Bureau of Land Management is lapsed or dissolved, the
United States--
(A) shall continue to administer the prioritized
selected land under applicable law; but
(B) may reject any selections not needed to fulfill
the lapsed or dissolved Native Corporation's
entitlement.
SEC. 404. FINAL PRIORITIZATION OF STATE <<NOTE: 43 USC 1635
note.>> SELECTIONS.
(a) Filing of Final Priorities.--
(1) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> In general.--The State shall, not
later than the date that is 4 years after the date of enactment
of this Act, in accordance with section 906(f)(1) of the Alaska
National Interest Lands Conservation Act (43 U.S.C. 1635(f)(1)),
file final priorities with the Secretary for all land grant
entitlements to the State which remain unsatisfied on the date
of the filing.
(2) Ranking.--All selection applications on file with the
Secretary on the date specified in paragraph (1) shall--
(A) be ranked on a Statewide basis in order of
priority; and
(B) include an estimate of the acreage included in
each selection.
(3) Inclusions.--The State shall include in the prioritized
list land which has been top-filed under section 906(e) of the
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (43 U.S.C.
1635(e)).
(4) Acreage limitation.--
(A) In general.--Acreage for top-filings shall not
be counted against the 125 percent limitation
established
[[Page 118 STAT. 3594]]
under section 906(f)(1) of the Alaska National Interest
Lands Conservation Act (43 U.S.C. 1635(f)(1)).
(B) Relinquishment.--
(i) In general.--The State shall relinquish
any selections that exceed the 125 percent
limitation.
(ii) Failure to relinquish.--If the State
fails to relinquish a selection under clause (i),
the Secretary shall reject the selection.
(5) Lower-priority selections.--Notwithstanding the
prioritization of selection applications under paragraph (1), if
the Secretary reserves sufficient entitlements for the top-filed
selections, the Secretary may continue to convey lower-priority
selections.
(b) Deadline for Prioritization.--
(1) In general.--The State shall irrevocably prioritize
sufficient selections to allow the Secretary to complete
transfer of 101,000,000 acres by September 30, 2009.
(2) Reprioritization.--Any selections remaining after
September 30, 2009, may be reprioritized.
(c) Financial Assistance.--The Secretary may, using amounts made
available to carry out this Act, provide financial assistance to other
Federal agencies, the State, and Native Corporations and entities to
assist in completing the transfer of land by September 30, 2009.
TITLE V--ALASKA LAND CLAIMS HEARINGS AND APPEALS
SEC. 501. ALASKA LAND CLAIMS HEARINGS AND APPEALS.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary may establish a field office of
the Office of Hearings and Appeals in the State to decide matters within
the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior involving hearings
and appeals, and other review functions of the Secretary regarding land
transfer decisions and Indian probates in the State.
(b) Appointments.--For purposes of carrying out subsection (a), the
Secretary shall appoint administrative law judges selected in accordance
with section 3105 of title 5, United States Code, and members of the
Interior Board of Land Appeals.
TITLE VI--REPORT AND AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
SEC. 601. REPORT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the
status of the implementation of this Act.
(b) Contents.--The report shall--
(1) describe the status of conveyances to Alaska Natives,
Native Corporations, and the State; and
(2) include recommendations for completing the conveyances
required by this Act.
[[Page 118 STAT. 3595]]
SEC. 602. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary
to carry out the purposes of this Act.
Approved December 10, 2004.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 1466:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 150 (2004):
Oct. 10, considered and passed Senate.
Nov. 17, considered and passed House.
<all>