Craig officials comment on Sealaska lands bill

Craig city officials voted unanimously this week to voice concerns over the Sealaska lands bill, despite accusations that Sen. Albert Kookesh attempted to bully the council into supporting the legislation.

Craig city officials voted unanimously this week to voice concerns over the Sealaska lands bill, despite accusations that Sen. Albert Kookesh attempted to bully the council into supporting the legislation.

The council's letter dated Wednesday was "very carefully written," according to City Manager Jon Bolling.

The council had been split on the bill that attempts to complete land conveyances to Sealaska, a Juneau-based Native corporation, promised under the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. But after a vote at a special meeting Monday, members were able to agree on two points.

The letter outlines concerns about transferring specific "highly valuable" sites near Craig out of public ownership, and questions how the legislation would impact future timber harvest activities.

Kookesh was accused by council members of violating ethics laws by threatening to use his position as a legislator to advance Sealaska interests during a council meeting earlier this month. He urged members not to stand in the way of the bill, and his comments were recorded and later reported on by the Anchorage Daily News.

Craig joins a list of Southeast communities and organizations that have weighed in on the legislation, which is backed by the state's two Republican members of Congress. 

Read the complete story at the Juneau Empire.