H.R. 2815

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To provide equitable treatment for the people of the Village Corporation established for the Native Village of Saxman, Alaska, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · April 10, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Begich · Committee: Committee on Natural Resources

Table of contents

• H.R. 2815
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Definitions
  • SEC. 3. Waiver of core township requirement for certain land
  • SEC. 4. Selection outside exterior selection boundary
  • SEC. 5. Public access easement

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025.
• Short title

SEC. 2. Definitions

• In this Act:
• Definitions
• (1) Cape Fox
  • The term Cape Fox means the Cape Fox Village Corporation, a Village Corporation for the Native Village of Saxman, Alaska, organized pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (). 43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.
  • Cape Fox
• (2) Federal land
  • The term Federal land means the approximately 180 acres of surface land within the Tongass National Forest in the State of Alaska, as generally depicted on the Map.
  • Federal land
• (3) Map
  • The term Map means the map entitled and dated December 18, 2023. The term means the map entitled and dated December 18, 2023. Cape Fox Village Corporation Final Selection
  • Map
• (4) Secretary
  • The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
  • Secretary

SEC. 3. Waiver of core township requirement for certain land

• Waiver of core township requirement for certain land
• (a) In general
  • Notwithstanding section 16(b) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (), Cape Fox shall not be required to select or receive conveyance of the approximately 185 acres of unconveyed land described in subsection (b) located within the township in which the Native Village of Saxman, Alaska, is located. 43 U.S.C. 1615(b)
  • In general
• (b) Land described
  • The land referred to in subsection (a) is as follows:
  • Land described
    • Approximately 40 acres in T. 74 S., R.90 E., sec. 10, SWNE, Copper River Meridian.
    • Approximately 144.57 acres in T. 75 S., R.91 E., sec. 1, lots 1, 3, and 4, Copper River Meridian.

SEC. 4. Selection outside exterior selection boundary

• Selection outside exterior selection boundary
• (a) Selection and Conveyance of Surface Estate
  • Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, if Cape Fox submits to the Secretary a written notice of selection of the Federal land, the Secretary shall, on receiving that written notice, convey the Federal land to Cape Fox.
  • Selection and Conveyance of Surface Estate
• (b) Conveyance of Subsurface Estate
  • On conveyance to Cape Fox of the surface estate to the Federal land under subsection (a), the Secretary shall convey to Sealaska Corporation the subsurface estate to that Federal land.
  • Conveyance of Subsurface Estate
• (c) Timing
  • It is the intent of Congress that the Secretary complete the conveyances to Cape Fox and Sealaska Corporation under subsections (a) and (b), respectively, as soon as practicable after the date on which the Secretary receives a written notice of the selection of Cape Fox under subsection (a), but not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary receives that written notice.
  • Timing
• (d) Entitlement fulfilled
  • The conveyance of Federal land to Cape Fox and the subsurface interest in the Federal land to Sealaska Corporation under subsections (a) and (b), respectively, shall be considered to fulfill the entitlement of—
  • Entitlement fulfilled
    • Cape Fox under section 16 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (); and 43 U.S.C. 1615
    • Sealaska Corporation to any subsurface interest in the Federal land under section 14(f) of that Act (). 43 U.S.C. 1613(f)

SEC. 5. Public access easement

• The conveyance of the Federal land under section 4 shall be subject to the reservation of a public easement under section 17(b) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act () to allow for access to National Forest System land further inland on Revillagigedo Island from the George Inlet. 43 U.S.C. 1616(b)
• Public access easement