Sealaska's Big Ask

Why we're concerned about the "Sealaska bill"

Sealaska's entitlement is only one piece of the Tongass puzzle.  Addressing it in isolation will only lead to more problems.

The Tongass is an intricate web where decisions made on one issue often have significant impacts throughout the forest and the communities, residents and industries who depend on its health.

SEACC supports Alaska Natives getting lands rightfully owed to them.  But whenever public lands of high biological and community value are proposed to be given to private, for-profit corporations, everyone should closely consider the costs to the public, both Native and non-Native alike.

For decades, timber-first Tongass management has kept Southeast residents of all persuasions in perpetual limbo as focusing on one fix for one problem has led to countless unintended consequences and the need for more fixes.

Some potential consequences from this legislation include problems with public access to traditional hunting, fishing, and recreational areas, decreased fish and wildlife populations, and loss of world-class karst and cave resources.

Learn more about the Sealaska Lands Bill:

• 46 popular bays and coves could be privatized
• Maps of Sealaska's lands ask
  
• List of Enterprise/Native Futures sites
• Tell Congress No!
• Community opposition
  
• Official testimony
• Public meetings March 2010
  
• Read the bill text
  
• Background
• Land Transfers Issue Page
• Questions and Answers from Senator Barrasso
• The Nature Conservancy's S.881 Land Comparison

+Read Letters to the Editor in SEACC pressroom

New legislation could give thousands of Tongass acres to Sealaska Corporation.

Senator Murkowski and U.S. Rep. Don Young introduced "revised" Sealaska bill (S. 881 and H.R 2099), on April 23, 2009, and Senator Begich co-sponsored the Senate legislation.

The "revised" bills fail to address major public concerns and comments raised with earlier versions of the bill. We need to see a balanced approach that addresses all the needs of the forest and local communities.

The Alaska Delegation needs to hear from you that this bill misses the mark.

Please contact Senator Murkowski today! Or write a letter to the editor of your local paper. Please send SEACC a copy of the published letter. Find hints on effective communications with your elected officials.

Please include a personal story about how giving these valuable Tongass wild lands to Sealaska Corporation will impact your life.