This legislation, known as the Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025, aims to provide equitable treatment for the Cape Fox Village Corporation , which represents the Native Village of Saxman, Alaska. It addresses specific land entitlements under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) by modifying existing requirements for the corporation. A key provision of the bill waives the requirement for Cape Fox to select or receive approximately 185 acres of unconveyed land located within its core township. Instead, it mandates the Secretary of the Interior to convey approximately 180 acres of Federal land from the Tongass National Forest to Cape Fox, provided the corporation submits a written notice of selection within 90 days of the Act's enactment. Upon conveyance of the surface estate to Cape Fox, the subsurface estate of this same land will be conveyed to Sealaska Corporation , fulfilling their respective land entitlements under ANCSA. Congress intends for these transfers to be completed as soon as practicable, but no later than 180 days after Cape Fox's selection notice. The conveyed Federal land will also be subject to a public access easement to ensure continued access to National Forest System land further inland.
AlaskaAlaska Natives and HawaiiansFederal-Indian relationsLand transfers
Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025
USA119th CongressS-1008| Senate
| Updated: 3/13/2025
This legislation, known as the Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025, aims to provide equitable treatment for the Cape Fox Village Corporation , which represents the Native Village of Saxman, Alaska. It addresses specific land entitlements under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) by modifying existing requirements for the corporation. A key provision of the bill waives the requirement for Cape Fox to select or receive approximately 185 acres of unconveyed land located within its core township. Instead, it mandates the Secretary of the Interior to convey approximately 180 acres of Federal land from the Tongass National Forest to Cape Fox, provided the corporation submits a written notice of selection within 90 days of the Act's enactment. Upon conveyance of the surface estate to Cape Fox, the subsurface estate of this same land will be conveyed to Sealaska Corporation , fulfilling their respective land entitlements under ANCSA. Congress intends for these transfers to be completed as soon as practicable, but no later than 180 days after Cape Fox's selection notice. The conveyed Federal land will also be subject to a public access easement to ensure continued access to National Forest System land further inland.