Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025
Introduced on April 10, 2025 by Nicholas J. Begich
Sponsors
House Votes
Senate Votes
AI Summary
This bill helps finish the land owed to the Cape Fox Village Corporation, which serves the Alaska Native village of Saxman. It lets Cape Fox skip about 185 acres near Saxman and instead choose about 180 acres in the Tongass National Forest. If Cape Fox sends written notice within 90 days after the law takes effect, the Interior Department must transfer the land. Cape Fox gets the surface land, and Sealaska Corporation gets the underground rights. This transfer is meant to finish both groups’ remaining land entitlements.
The law also keeps a public access path across the land so people can still reach National Forest lands farther inland on Revillagigedo Island from George Inlet.
Key points
- Who is affected: Cape Fox Village Corporation (for the Native Village of Saxman) and Sealaska Corporation; members of the public who use nearby National Forest lands.
- What changes: Waives a rule that would have kept the selection within the home township; allows selection outside the current boundary; transfers surface land to Cape Fox and underground rights to Sealaska; keeps a public access easement.
- When: Cape Fox must give written notice within 90 days of enactment; Interior should finish the transfers as soon as possible, and no later than 180 days after receiving the notice.