Sealaska Lands Bill

: Click for PDF of Different Visions Document

Sealaska Corporation has rights to receive more land under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and people all over Southeast Alaska are interested in resolution of these claims. However, the bills introduced by Sen. Murkowski and Rep. Young at Sealaska's request (S. 730 and HR 1408), need to have more balance between the needs of the corporation and small communities in Southeast Alaska; between timber cutting and fisheries conservation; and between the corporation and the tribes.

There are many reasons to oppose this legislation. Some of them are:

Logging Practices Harm Habitat, Subsistence, Economy

Sealaska timber lands are proudly managed under an outdated model that views the forest as a tree farm rather than an ecosystem that supports multiple uses. This single-minded focus on short-term timber profits ignores all other uses of the forest and directly impacts the ability of local people, Native and non-Native, to live a traditional Southeast Alaska lifestyle. Some of the lands selected directly impact the ability of the USFS to transition away from old-growth logging while preserving jobs in the woods for Southeast Alaskans.

For photos of recent logging by Sealaska, visit a SEACC Facebook photo album, or download the SEACC publication Different Visions.

Futures Sites--Anything Goes

Proposed Futures Sites selections remove valuable public lands from public use and the bill is unspecific about what uses of these sites are planned. Anything goes on these lands except for commercial logging and mineral development. These sites are located throughout Southeast Alaska and conflict with existing patterns of access and recreation, subsistence and commercial uses. Some sites, like Pegmatite Mountain, Spring Creek, and Blake Channel, among others, are actively opposed by local communities.

More information on these futures sites and an interactive map.

Unfair to US Taxpayers

Sealaska’s proposed selections contain millions of dollars worth of public roads and facilities built at taxpayer expense, unlike the areas they are currently authorized to select. This should be a value for value exchange, not an acre for acre exchange.

Communities in Conflict

This proposal is extremely controversial and divisive in Southeast Alaska’s small communities.

Maps

Futures Sites | Conservation Areas | Migratory Trade Routes | Commercial Timber Lands Maps 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 | Maps for House Bill same as Senate (above) except, Timber Map 2 and Timber Map 8. There is no conservation map in the House Bill.