An Act to provide for the settlement of certain land claims of Alaska Natives, and for other purposes
PL 92-203 (H.R.10367), enacted 12/18/1971

688 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
[85 STAT. 
Public Law 92-203 
December 18, 1971 
^ ^ 
A C T 
[H. R. 10367] 
To provide for the settlement of certain land claims of Alaska Natives, and for 
other purposes. 
Alaska Native 
Claims Settlement 
Be it enacted hy the SeQiate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United /States of America in Congress assembled. That this Act may 
Act. 
be cited as the "Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act-'. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY 
SEC. 2. Congress finds and declares that— 
(a) there is an immediate need for a fair and just settlement of 
all claims by Natives and Native groups of Alaska, based on 
aboriginal land claims; 
(b) the settlement should be accomplished rapidly, with cer-
tainty, in conformity with the real economic and social needs of 
Natives, without litigation, with maximum participation by 
Natives in decisions affecting their rights and property, with-
out establishing any permanent racially defined institutions, 
rights, privileges, or obligations, without creating a reservation 
system or lengthy wardship or trusteeship, and w^ithout adding 
to the categories of property and institutions enjoying special tax 
privileges or to the legislation establishing special relationships 
between the LTnited States Government and the State of Alaska; 
(c) no provision of this Act shall replace or diminish any right, 
privilege, or obligation of Natives as citizens of the United States 
or of Alaska, or relieve, replace, or diminish any obligation of the 
United States or of the State or Alaska to protect and promote the 
rights or welfare of Natives as citizens of the United States or of 
Alaska; the Secretary is authorized and directed, together with 
other appropriate agencies of the United States Government, to 
make a study of all Federal programs primarily designed to bene-
fit Native people and to report back to the Congress with his recom-
mendations for the future management and operation of these 
programs within three years of the date of enactment of this Act; 
(d) no provision of this Act shall constitute a precedent for 
reopening, renegotiating, or legislating upon any past settlement 
involving land claims or other matters with any Native organiza-
tions, or any tribe, band, or identifiable group of American 
Indians; 
(e) no provision of this Act shall effect a change or changes in 
the petroleum reserve policy reflected in sections 7421 through 
76 Stat. 90*4. ' 
7438 of title 10 of the United States Code except as specifically 
provided in this Act; 
(f) no provision of this Act shall be construed to constitute a 
jurisdictional act, to confer jurisdiction to sue, nor to gi-ant 
implied consent to Natives to sue the United States or any of its 
officers with respect to the claims extinguished by the operation of 
this Act; and 
(g) no provision of this Act shall be construed to terminate or 
otherwise curtail the activities of the Economic Development 
Administration or other Federal agencies conducting loan or loan 
and grant programs in Alaska. For this purpose only, the terms 
"Indian reservation" and "trust or restricted Indian-owned land 
areas" in Public Law 89-136, the Public Works and Economic 
42 use 3T2i 
Development Act of 1965, as amended, shall be interpreted to 
include lands granted to Natives under this Act as long as such 
lands remain in the ownership of the Native villages or the 
Regional Corporations. 
79 Stat. 552. 
42 
note 
85 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
689 
DEFINITIONS 
SEC. 3. For the purposes of this Act, the term— 
(a) "Secretary"' means the Secretary of the Interior; 
(b) "Native" means a citizen of the United States who is a person of 
one-fourth degree or more Alaska Indian (including Tsimshian 
Indians not enrolled in the Metlaktla Indian Community) Eskimo, or 
Aleut blood, or combination thereof. The term includes any Native as 
so defined either or both of whose adoptive parents are not Natives. It 
also includes, in the absence of proof of a minimum blood quantum, 
any citizen of the United States who is regarded as an Alaska Native 
by the Native village or Native group of wliich he claims to be a mem-
ber and whose father or mother is (or, if deceased, was) regarded as 
Native by any village or group. Any decision of the Secretary regard-
ing eligibility for enrollment shall be final; 
(c) "Native village" means any tribe, band, clan, group, village, 
community, or association in Alaska listed in sections 11 and 16 of this 
Act, or which meets the requirements of this Act, and which the Secre-
tary determines was, on the 1970 census enumeration date (as shown by 
the census or other evidence satisfactory to the Secretary, who shall 
make findings of fact in each instance), composed of twenty-five or 
more Natives; 
(d) "Native group" means any tribe, band, clan, village, community, 
or village association of Natives in Alaska composed of less than 
twenty-five Natives, who comprise a majority of the residents of the 
locality; 
(e) "Public lands" means all Federal lands and interests therein 
located in Alaska except: (1) the smallest practicable tract, as deter-
mined by the Secretary, enclosing land actually used in connection with 
the administration of any Federal installation, and (2) land selections 
of the State of Alaska which have been patented or tentatively 
approved under section 6 (g) of the Alaska Statehood Act, as amended 
(72 Stat. 341, 77 Stat. 223), or identified for selection by the State 2i^l^tl^ "'^'^ 
prior to January 17,1969; 
(f) "State" means the State of Alaska; 
(g) "Eegional Corporation" means an Alaska Native Regional Cor-
poration established under the laws of the State of Alaska in accord-
ance with the provisions of this Act; 
(h) "Person" means any individual, firm, corporation, association, 
or partnership; 
(i) "Municipal Corporation" means any general unit of municipal 
government under the laws of the State of Alaska; 
(j) "Village Corporation" means an Alaska Native Village Cor-
poration organized under the laws of the State of Alaska as a busi-
ness for profit or nonprofit corporation to hold, invest, manage and/or 
distribute lands, property, funds, and other rights and assets for and 
on behalf of a Native village in accordance with the terms of this Act. 
(k) "Fund" means the Alaska Native Fund in the Treasury of the 
United States established by section 6; and 
(1) "Planning Commission" means the Joint Federal-State Land 
Use Planning Commission established by section 17. 
DECLARATION OF SETTLEMENT 
SEC. 4. (a) All prior conveyances of public land and water areas and^cufmT^e"tin-
in Alaska, or any interest therein, pursuant to Federal law, and all guishmentV ^'^ "' 
tentative approvals pursuant to section 6(g) of the Alaska Statehood 
Act, shall be regarded as an extinguishment of the aboriginal title 
thereto, if any. 
690 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
[85 STAT. 
(b) All aboriginal titles, if any, and claims of aboriginal title in 
Alaska based on use and occupancy, including submerged land under-
neath all water areas, both inland and offshore, and including any 
aboriginal hunting or fishing rights that may exist, are hereby 
extinguished. 
(c) All claims against the United States, the State, and all other 
persons that are based on claims of aboriginal right, title, use, or 
occupancy of land or water areas in Alaska, or that are based on any 
statute or treaty of the United States relating to Native use and 
occupancy, or that are based on the laws of any other nation, includ-
ing any such claims that are pending before any Federal or state 
court or the Indian Claims Commission, are hereby extinguished. 
ENROLLMENT 
SEC. 5. (a) The Secretary shall prepare within two years from the 
date of enactment of this Act a roll of all Natives who were born on 
or before, and who are living on, the date of enactment of this Act. 
Any decision of the Secretary regarding eligibility for enrollment 
shall be final. 
(b) The roll prepared by the Secretary shall show for each Native, 
among other things, the region and the village or other place in which 
he resided on the date of the 1970 census enumeration, and he shall be 
enrolled according to such residence. Except as provided in subsection 
(c), a Native eligible for enrollment who is not, when the roll is pre-
pared, a permanent resident of one of the twelve regions established 
pursuant to subsection 7(a) shall be enrolled by the Secretary in one 
of the twelve regions, giving priority in the following order to— 
(1) the region where the Native resided on the 1970 census date 
if he had resided there without substantial interruption for two 
or more years; 
(2) the region where the Native previously resided for an 
aggregate of ten years or more; 
(3) the region where the Native was born; and 
(4) the region from which an ancestor of the Native came: 
The Secretary may enroll a Native in a different region when neces-
sary to avoid enrolling members of the same family in different 
regions or otherwise avoid hardship. 
(c) A Native eligible for enrollment who is eighteen years of age 
or older and is not a permanent resident of one of the twelve regions 
may, on the date he files an application for enrollment, elect to be 
enrolled in a thirteenth region for Natives who are non-residents of 
Alaska, if such region is established pursuant to subsection 7(c). If 
such T-egion is not established, he shall be enrolled as provided in sub-
section (b). His election shall apply to all dependent members of his 
household who are less than eighteen years of age, but shall not affect 
the enrollment of anyone else. 
ALASKA NATIVE 
FUND 
SEC. 6. (a) There is hereby established in the United States Treas-
ury an Alaska Native Fund into which the following moneys shall 
be deposited: 
(1) $462,500,000 from the general fund of the Treasury, which 
are authorized to be appropriated according to the following 
schedule: 
(A) $12,500,000 during the fiscal year in which this Act 
becomes effective; 
(B) $50,000,000 during the second fiscal year; 
85 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
691 
(C) $70,000,000 during each of the third, fourth, and 
fifth fiscal vears; 
(D) $40^000,000 during the sixth fiscal year; and 
(E) $30,000,000 during each of the next five fiscal years. 
(2) Four percent interest per annum, which is authorized to 
be appropriated, on any amount authorized to be appropriated by 
this paragraph that is not appropriated within six months after 
the fiscal year in which payable. 
(3) $500,000,000 pursuant to the revenue sharing provisions of 
section 9. 
(b) None of the funds paid or distributed pursuant to this section to 
any of the Eegional and Village Corporations established pursuant 
to this Act shall be expended, donated, or otherwise used for the pur-
pose of carrying on propaganda, or intervening in (including the 
publishing and distributing of statements) any political campaign on 
behalf of any candidate for public office. Any person who willfully 
violates the foregoing provision shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, 
upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $1,000 or impris-
oned not moi-e than twelve months, or both. 
(c) After completion of the roll prepared pursuant to section 5, all 
money in the Fund, except money reserved as provided in section 20 
for the payment of attorney and other fees, shall be distributed at the 
end of each three months of the fiscal year among the Regional Corpo-
rations organized pursuant to section 7 on the basis of the relative 
numbers of Natives enrolled in each region. The share of a Regional 
Corporation that has not been organized shall be retained in the Fund 
until the Regional Corporation is organized. 
Expenditures 
for propaganda or 
political cam-
paigns, prohibi-
tion* 
Penalty. 
Distribution. 
REGIONAL 
CORPORATIONS 
SEC. 7. (a) For purposes of this Act, the State of Alaska shall be 
divided by the Secretary within one year after the date of enactment 
at this Act into twelve geographic regions, with each region composed 
as far as practicable of Natives having a common heritage and sharing 
common interests. In the absence of good cause shown to the contrary, 
such regions shall approximate the areas covered by the operations of 
the following existing Native associations: 
(1) Arctic Slope Native Association (Barrow, Point Hope); 
(2) Bering Straits Association (Seward Peninsula, Unalakleet, 
Saint Lawrence Island); 
(3) Northwest Alaska Native Association (Kotzebue) ; 
(4) Association of Village Council Presidents (southwest coast, 
all villages in the Bethel area, including all villages on the Lower 
Yukon River and the Lower Kuskokwim River) ; 
(5) Tanana Chiefs' Conference (Koyukuk, Middle and Upper 
Yukon Rivers, Upper Kuskokwim, Tanana River); 
(6) Cook Inlet Association (Kenai, Tyonek, Eklutna, Iliamna) ; 
(7) Bristol Bay Native Association (Dillingham, Upper Alaska 
Peninsula) ; 
(8) Aleut League (Aleutian Islands, Pribilof Islands and that 
part of the Alaska Peninsula which is in the Aleut League); 
(9) Chugach Native Association (Cordova, Tatitlek, Port 
Graham, English Bay, Valdez, and Seward) ; 
(10) Tlingit-Haida Central Council (southeastern Alaska, 
including Metlakatla) ; 
(11) Kodiak Area Native Association (all 
around Kodiak Island) ; and 
(12) Copper River Native Association (Copper Center, Glenn 
alien, Chitina, Mentasta). 
villages on and 
75-432 O - 72 - 46 
692 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
[85 STAT. 
Boundary dis-
putes, arbitra" 
tion. 
Region mergers. 
Limitation* 
Thirteenth 
region* 
Incorporation. 
Management. 
Stock, issuancei 
Stockholders' 
rights. 
Any dispute over the boundaries of a region or regions shall be resolved 
by a board of arbitrators consisting of one person selected by each of 
the Native associations involved, and an additional one or two persons, 
whichever is needed to make an odd number of arbitrators, such addi-
tional person or persons to be selected by the arbitrators selected by the 
Native associations involved. 
(b) The Secretary may, on request made within one year of the date 
of enactment of this Act, by representative and responsible leaders of 
the Native associations listed in subsection (a), merge two or more of 
the twelve regions: Provided^ That the twelve regions may not be 
reduced to less than seven, and there may be no fewer than seven 
Regional Corporations. 
(c) If a majority of all eligible Natives eighteen years of age or 
older who are not permanent residents of Alaska elect, pursuant to 
subsection o(c), to be enrolled in a thirteenth region for Natives 
who are non-residents of Alaska, the Secretary shall establish such 
a region for the benefit of the Natives who elected to be enrolled 
therein, and they may establish a Regional Corporation pursuant to 
this Act. 
(d) Five incorporators within each region, named by the Native 
association in the region, shall incorporate under the laws of Alaska a 
Regional Corporation to conduct business for profit, which shall be 
eligible for the benefits of this Act so long as it is organized and func-
tions in accordance with this Act. The articles of incorporation shall 
include provisions necessary to carry out the terms of this Act. 
(e) The original articles of incorporation and bylaws shall be 
approved bv the Secretary before they are filed, and they shall be 
submitted tor approval within eighteen months after the date of 
enactment of this Act. The articles of incorporation may not be 
amended during the Regional Corporation's first five years without 
the approval of the Secretary. The Secretary may withhold approval 
under this section if in his judgment inequities among Native indi-
viduals or groups of Native individuals would be created. 
(f) The management of the Regional Corporation shall be vested 
in a board of directors, all of whom, with the exception of the initial 
board, shall be stockholders over the age of eighteen. The number, 
terms, and method of election of members of the board of directors 
shall be fixed in the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Regional 
Corporation. 
(g) The Regional Corporation shall be authorized to issue such 
number of shares of common stock, divided into such classes of shares 
as may be specified in the articles of incorporation to reflect the provi-
sions of this Act, as may be needed to issue one hundred shares of 
stock to each Native enrolled in the region pursuant to section 5, 
(h) (1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2) of this sub-
section, stock issued pursuant to subsection (g) shall carry a right to 
vote in elections for the board of directors and on such other questions 
as properly may be presented to stockholders, shall permit the holder 
to receive dividends or other distributions from the Regional Corpo-
ration, and shall vest in the holder all rights of a stockholder in a busi-
ness corporation organized under the laws of the State of Alaska, 
except that for a period of twenty years after the date of enact-
ment of this Act the stock, inchoate rights thereto, and any dividends 
paid or distributions made with respect thereto may not be sold, 
pledged, subjected to a lien or judgment execution, assigned in present 
or future, or otherwise alienated: Provided^ That such limitation shall 
not apply to transfers of stock pursuant to a court decree of separation, 
divorce or child support. 
85 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
693 
(2) Upon the death of any stockholder, ownership of such stock 
^'°'''' transfer. 
shall be transferred in accordance with his last will and testament or 
under the applicable laws of intestacy, except that (A) during the 
twenty-year period after the date of enactment of this Act such stock 
shall carry voting rights only if the holder thereof through inher-
itance also is a Native, and (B), in the event the deceased stockholder 
fails to dispose of his stock by will and has no heirs under the appli-
cable laws of intestacy, such stock shall escheat to the Regional 
Corporation. 
(3) On January 1 of the tw^enty-first year after the year in which ^^^e^^' ''^'^^"* 
this Act is enacted, all stock previously issued shall be deemed to be 
canceled, and shares of stock of the appropriate class shall be issued 
without restrictions required by this Act to each stockholder share 
for share. 
(i) Seventy per centum of all revenues received by each Regional 
certain natural 
Corporation from the timber resources and subsurface estate pat- distribution. 
* 
ented to it pursuant to this Act shall be divided annually by the 
Regional Corporation among all twelve Regional Corporations orga-
nized pursuant to this section according to the number of Natives 
enrolled in each region pursuant to section 5. The provisions of this 
subsection shall not apply to the thirteenth Regional Corporation if 
organized pursuant to subsection (c) hereof. 
(j) During the five years following the enactment of this Act, not jis^ributlo^n ^"'^'^^' 
less than 10% of all corporate funds received by each of the twelve 
Regional Corporations under section 6 (Alaska Native Fund), and 
under subsection (i) (revenues from the timber resources and sub-
surface estate patented to it pursuant to this Act), and all other net 
income, shall be distributed among the stockholders of the twelve 
Regional Corporations. Not less than 45% of funds from such sources 
during the first five-year period, and 50% thereafter, shall be dis-
tributed among the Village Corporations in the region and the class 
of stockholders who are not residents of those villages, as provided in 
subsection to it. In the case of the thirteenth Regional Corporation, if 
organized, not less than 50% of all corporate funds received under 
section 6 shall be distributed to the stockholders. 
(k) Funds distributed among the Village Corporations shall be 
divided among them according to the ratio that the number of shares 
of stock registered on the books of the Regional Corporation in the 
names of residents of each village bears to the number of shares of stock 
registered in the names of residents in all villages. 
(1) Funds distributed to a Village Corporation may be withheld 
until the village has submitted a plan for the use of the money that 
is satisfactory to the Regional Corporation. The Regional Corpora-
tion may require a village plan to provide for joint ventures with 
other villages, and for joint financing of projects undertaken by the 
Regional Corporation that will benefit the region generally. In the 
event of disagreement over the provisions of the plan, the issues in 
disagreement shall be submitted to arbitration, as shall be provided 
for in the articles of incorporation of the Regional Corporation. 
(m) When funds are distributed among Village Corporations in 
a region, an amount computed as follows shall be distributed as divi-
dends to the class of stockholders who are not residents of those vil-
lages : The amount distributed as dividends shall bear the same ratio 
to the amount distributed among the Village Corporations that the 
number of shares of stock registered on the books of the Regional 
Corporation in the names of nonresidents of villages bears to the 
number of shares of stock registered in the names of village resi-
dents : Provided, That an equitable portion of the amount distributed 
as dividends may be withheld and combined with Village Corporation 
funds to finance projects that will benefit the region generally. 
694 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
[85 STAT. 
Annual audit* 
Report to stock-
holders. Interior, 
and congressional 
committees. 
Federal-state 
laws, conflict. 
(n) The Regional Corporation may undertake on behalf of one or 
more of the Village Corporations in the region any project author-
ized and financed by them. 
(o) The accounts of the Regional Corporation shall be audited 
annually in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards 
by independent certified public accountants or independent licensed 
public accountants, certified or licensed by a regulatory authority of 
the State or the United States. The audits shall be conducted at the 
place or places where the accounts of the Regional Corporation are 
normally kept. All books, accounts, financial records, reports, files, and 
other papers, things, or property belonging to or in use by the Regional 
Corporation and necessary to facilitate the audits shall be available 
to the person or persons conducting the audits; and full facilities for 
verifying transactions with the balances or securities held by deposi-
tories, fiscal agent, and custodians shall be afforded to such person 
or persons. Each audit report or a fair and reasonably detailed sum-
mary thereof shall be transmitted to each stockholder, to the Secretary 
of the Interior and to the Committees on Interior and Insular Affairs 
of the Senate and the House of Representatives. 
(p) In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this sec-
tion and the laws of the State of Alaska, the provisions of this section 
shall prevail. 
(q) Two or more Regional Corporations may contract with the 
same business management group for investment services and advice 
regarding the investment of corporate funds. 
Minerals, sales 
or leases. 
41 Stat. 437. 
30 u s e 181 
note. 
Royalties, 
rentals, bonuses. 
72 Stat. 340; 
77 Stat. 223. 
48 u s e prec. 
21 note» 
VILLAGE CORPORATIONS 
SEC. 8. (a) The Native residents of each Native village entitled to 
receive lands and benefits under this Act shall organize as a business 
for profit or nonprofit corporation under the laws of the State before 
the Native village may receive patent to lands or benefits under this 
Act, except as otherwise provided. 
(b) The initial articles of incorporation for each Village Corpora-
tion shall be subject to the approval of the Regional Corporation for 
the region in which the village is located. Amendments to the articles 
of incorporation and the annual budgets of the Village Corporations 
shall, for a period of five years, be subject to review and approval by 
the Regional Corporation. The Regional Corporation shall assist and 
advise Native villages in the preparation of articles of incorporation 
and other documents necessary to meet the requirements of this sub-
section. 
(c) The provisions concerning stock alienation, annual audit, and 
transfer of stock ownership on death or by court decree provided for 
Regional Corporations in section 7 shall apply to Village Corpora-
tions except that audits need not be transmitted to the Committees on 
Interior and Insular Affairs of the Senate and the House of 
Rep 
resentati 
ves. 
REVENUE SHARING 
SEC. 9. (a) The provisions of this section shall apply to all min-
erals that are subject to disposition under the Mineral Leasing Act of 
1920, as amended and supplemented. 
(b) With respect to conditional leases and sales of minerals hereto-
fore or hereaftt-r made pursuant to section 6(g) of the Alaska State-
hood Act, and with respect to mineral leases of the United States that 
are or may be subsumed by the State under section 6(h) of the Alaska 
Statehood Act, until sucn time as the provisions of subsection (c) 
become operative the State shall pay into the Alaska Native Fund 
85 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
695 
from the royalties, rentals, and bonuses hereafter received by the State 
(1) a royalty of 2 per centum upon the gross value (as such gross value 
is determined for royalty purposes under such leases or sales) of such 
minerals produced or removed from such lands, and (2) 2 per centum 
of all rentals and bonuses under such leases or sales, excluding bonuses 
received by the State at the September 1969 sale of minerals from ten-
tatively approved lands and excluding rentals received pursuant to 
such sale before the date of enactment of this Act. Such payment shall 
be made within sixty days from the date the revenues are received 
by the State. 
(c) Each patent hereafter issued to the State under the Alaska 
Patents. 
Statehood Act, including a patent of lands heretofore selected and 
^2 stat. 339. 
tentatively approved, shall reserve for the benefit of the Natives, and 21 note, ^^^'^' 
for payment into the Alaska Native Fund, (1) a royalty of 2 per 
centum upon the gross value (as such gross value is determined for 
royalty purposes under any disposition by the State) of the minerals 
thereafter produced or removed from such lands, and (2) 2 per centum 
of all revenues thereafter derived by the State from rentals and 
bonuses from the disposition of such minerals. 
(d) All bonuses, rentals, and royalties received by the United States 
after the date of enactment of this Act from the disposition by it of 
such minerals in public lands in Alaska shall be distributed as provided 
in the Alaska Statehood Act, except that prior to calculating the shares 
of the State and the United States as set forth in such Act, (1) a roy-
alty of 2 per centum upon the gross value of such minerals produced 
(as such gross value is determined for royalty purposes under the sale 
or lease), and (2) 2 per centum of all rentals and bonuses shall be 
deducted and paid into the Alaska Native Fund. The respective shares 
of the State and the United States shall be calculated on the remaining 
balance. 
(e) The provisions of this section shall be enforceable by the 
United States for the benefit of the Natives, and in the event of default 
by the State in making the payments required, in addition to any 
other remedies provided by law, there shall be deducted annually by 
the Secretary of the Treasury from any grant-in-aid or from any other 
sums payable to the State under any provision of Federal law an 
amount equal to any such underpayment, which amount shall be 
deposited in the Fund. 
(f) Revenues received by the United States or the State as com- 
°^^ ^"'^ ^^^ 
pensation for estimated drainage of oil or gas shall, for the purposes ''^^^""^^* 
of this section, be regarded as revenues from the disposition of oil and 
gas. In the event the United States or the State elects to take royalties 
in kind, there shall be paid into the Fund on account thereof an amount 
equal to the royalties that would have been paid into the Fund under 
the provisions of this section had the royalty been taken in cash. 
(g) The pavments required by this section shall continue only until 
^""'^, payments, 
$500,000,000 have been paid into the Alaska Native Fund. Thereafter """^"°"-
the provisions of this section shall not apply, and the reservation 
required in patents under this section shall be of no further force and 
effect. 
(h) When computing the final payment into the Fund the respective com^utaHonT^"*" 
shares of the United States and the State with respect to payments 
to the Fund required by this section shall be determined pursuant to 
this subsection and in the following order: 
(1) first, from sources identified under subsections (b) and (c) 
hereof; and 
(2) then, from sources identified under subsection (d) hereof, 
(i) The provisions of this section do not apply to mineral revenues 
received from the Outer Continental Shelf. 
696 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
[85 STAT. 
Jurisdiction, 
Land selection, 
suspension of 
rights* 
7 2 Stat. 339. 
48 u s e prec. 
21 note. 
Extension. 
72 Stat. 340; 
78 Stat. 168. 
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS 
SEC. 10. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any civil 
action to contest the authority of the United States to legislate on the 
subject matter or the legality of this Act shall be barred unless the 
complaint is filed within one year of the date of enactment of this Act, 
and no such action shall be entertained unless it is commenced by a 
duly authorized official of the State. Exclusive jurisdiction over such 
action is hereby vested in the United States District Court for the Dis-
trict of Alaska. The purpose of this limitation on suits is to insure 
that, after the expiration of a reasonable period of time, the right, 
title, and interest of the United States, the Natives, and the State of 
Alaska will vest with certainty and finality and may be relied upon 
by all other persons in their relations with the State, the Natives, and 
the United States. 
(b) In the event that the State initiates litigation or voluntarily 
becomes a party to litigation to contest the authority of the United 
States to legislate on the subject matter or the legality of this Act, all 
rights of land selection granted to the State by the Alaska Statehood 
Act shall be suspended as to any public lands which are determined by 
the Secretary to be potentially valuable for mineral development, tim-
ber, or other commercial purposes, and no selections shall be made, no 
tentative approvals shall be granted, and no patents shall be issued for 
such lands during the pendency of such litigation. In the event of such 
suspension, the State's right of land selection pursuant to section 6 of 
the Alaska Statehood Act shall be extended for a period of time equal 
to the period of time the selection right was suspended. 
Exceptions, 
WITHDRAWAL OF PUBLIC LANDS 
SEC. 11. (a) (1) The following public lands are withdrawn, subject 
to valid existing rights, from all forms of appropriation under the 
public land laws, including the mining and mineral leasing laws, and 
from selection under the Alaska Statehood Act, as amended: 
(A) The lands in each township that encloses all or part of 
any Native village identified pursuant to subsection (b); 
(B) The lands in each township that is contiguous to or corners 
on the township that encloses all or part of such Native village; 
and 
(C) The lands in each township that is contiguous to or 
corners on a township containing lands withdrawn by paragraph 
(B) of this subsection. 
The following lands are excepted from such withdrawal: lands in the 
National Park System and lands withdrawn or reserved for national 
defense purposes other than Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 4. 
(2) All lands located within the townships described in subsec-
tion (a) (1) hereof that have been selected by, or tentatively approved 
to, but not yet patented to, the State under the Alaska Stateliood Act 
are withdrawn, subject to valid existing rights, from all forms of 
appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining and 
mineral leasing laws, and from the creation of third party interests 
by the State under the Alaska Statehood Act. 
(3) (A) If the Secretary determines that the lands withdra^^n by 
subsections (a) (1) and (2) hereof are insufficient to permit a Village 
or Regional Corporation to select the acreage it is entitled to select, the 
Secretary shall withdraw three times the deficiencv from the nearest 
unreserved, vacant and unappropriated public lands. In making this 
withdrawal the Secretary shall, insofar as possible, withdraw public 
lands of a character similar to those on which the village is located and 
85 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
697 
in order of their proximity to the center of the Native village: Pro-
vided^ That if the Secretary, pursuant to section lY, and 22(e) deter- ^^^ Rg"^^^ ^^^^'J., 
mines there is a need to expand the boundaries of a National Wildlife ' ^ ^ "^^ 
Refuge to replace any acreage selected in the Wildlife Refuge System 
by the Village Corporation the withdrawal under this section shall 
not include lands in the Refuge. 
(B) The Secretary shall make the withdrawal provided for in sub-
section (3) (A) hereof on the basis of the best available information 
within sixty days of the date of enactment of this Act, or as soon there-
after as practicable. 
(b) (1) The Native villages subject to this Act are as follows: 
NAME OF PLACE AND REGION 
Af ognak, Af ognak Island. 
Akhiok, Kodiak. 
Akiachak, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Akiak, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Akutan, Aleutian. 
Alakanuk, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Alatna, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon. 
Aleknagik, Bristol Bay. 
AUakaket, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon. 
Ambler, Bering Strait. 
Anaktuvuk, Pass, Arctic Slope. 
Andreafsey. Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Aniak, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Anvik, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon. 
Arctic Village, Upper Yukon-Porcupine. 
Atka, Aleutian. 
Atkasook, Arctic Slope. 
Atmautluak, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Barrow, Arctic Slope. 
Beaver, Upper Yukon-Porcupine. 
Belkofsky, Aleutian. 
Bethel, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Bill Moore's, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Biorka, Aleutian. 
Birch Creek, Upper Yukon-Porcupine. 
Brevig Mission, Bering Strait. 
Buckland, Bering Strait. 
Candle, Bering Strait. 
Cantwell, Tanana. 
Canyon Village, Upper Yukon-Porcupine. 
Ohalkyitsik, Upper Yukon-Porcupine. 
Chanilut, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Cherf ornak, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Chevak, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Chignik, Kodiak. 
Chignik Lagoon, Kodiak. 
Chignik Lake, Kodiak. 
Chistochina, Copper River. 
Chitina, Copper River. 
Chukwuktoligamute, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Circle, Upper Yukon-Porcupine. 
Clark's Point, Bristol Bay. 
Copper Center, Copper River. 
Crooked Creek, Upper Kuskokwim. 
Deering, Bering Strait. 
698 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
[85 STAT. 
Dillingham, Bristol Bay. 
Dot Lake, Tanana. 
Eagle, Upper Yukon-Porcupine. 
Eek, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Egegik, Bristol Bay. 
Eklutna, Cook Inlet. 
Ekuk, Bristol Bay. 
Ekwok, Bristol Bay. 
Elim, Bering Strait. 
Emmonak, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
English Bay, Cook Inlet. 
False Pass, Aleutian. 
Fort Yukon, Upper Yukon-Porcupine. 
Gakona, Copper River. 
Galena, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon. 
Gambell, Bering Sea. 
Georgetown, Upper Kuskokwim. 
Golovin, Bering Strait. 
Goodnews Bay, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Grayling, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon. 
Gulkana, Copper River. 
Hamilton, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Holy Cross, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon. 
Hooper Bay, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Hughes, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon. 
Huslia, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon. 
Igiugig, Bristol Bay. 
Iliamna, Cook Inlet. 
Inalik, Bering Strait. 
Ivanof Bay, Aleutian. 
Kaguyak, Kodiak. 
Kaktovik, Arctic Slope. 
Kalskag, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Kaltag, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon. 
Karluk, Kodiak. 
Kasigluk, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Kiana, Bering Strait. 
King Cove, Aleutian. 
Kipnuk, Southeast Coastal Lowland. 
Kivalina, Bering Strait. 
Kobuk, Bering Strait. 
Kokhanok, Bristol Bay. 
Koliganek, Bristol Bay. 
Kongiganak, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Kotlik, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Kotzebue, Bering Strait. 
Koyuk, Bering Strait. 
Koyukuk, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon. 
Kwethluk, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Kwigillingok, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Larsen Bay, Kodiak. 
Levelock, Bristol Bay. 
Lime Village, Upper Kuskokwim. 
Lower Kalskag, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
McGrath, Upper Kuskokwim. 
Makok, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon. 
Manley Hot Springs, Tanana. 
Manokotak, Bristol Bay. 
Marshall, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
85 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
699 
Mary's Igloo, Bering Strait. 
Medf ra, Upper Kuskokwim. 
Mekoryuk, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Mentasta Lake, Copper River. 
Minchumina Lake, Upper Kuskokwim. 
Minto, Tanana. 
Mountain Village, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Nabesna Village, Tanana, 
Naknek, Bristol Bay. 
ISTapaimute, Upper Kuskokwim. 
Napakiak, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Napaskiak, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Nelson Lagoon, Aleutian. 
Nenana, Tanana. 
Newhalen, Cook Inlet. 
New Stuyahok, Bristol Bay. 
Newtok, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Nightmute, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Nikolai, Upper Kuskokwim. 
Nikolski, Aleutian. 
Ninilchik, Cook Inlet. 
Noatak, Bering Strait. 
Nome, Bering Strait. 
Nondalton, Cook Inlet. 
Nooiksut, Arctic Slope. 
Noorvik, Bering Strait. 
Northeast Cape, Bering Sea. 
Northway, Tanana. 
Nulato, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon. 
Nunapitchuk, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Ohogamiut, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Old Harbor, Kodiak. 
Oscarville, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Ouzinkie, Kodiak, 
Paradise, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon. 
Pauloff Harbor, Aleutian. 
Pedro Bay, Cook Inlet. 
Perryville, Kodiak. 
Pilot Point, Bristol Bay. 
Pilot Station, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Pitkas Point, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Platinum, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Point Hope, Arctic Slope. 
Point Lay, Arctic Slope. 
Portage Creek (Ohgsenakale), Bristol Bay. 
Port Graham, Cook Inlet. 
Port Heiden (Meshick), Aleutian. 
Port Lions, Kodiak. 
Quinhagak, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Rampart, Upper Yukon-Porcupine. 
Red Devil, Upper Kuskokwim. 
RubjA, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon. 
Russian Mission or Chauthalue (Kuskokwim), Upper Kus-
kokwim. 
Russian Mission (Yukon), Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
St. George, Aleutian. 
St. Mary's, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
St. Michael, Bering Strait. 
St. Paul, Aleutian. 
700 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
[85 STAT. 
Salamatof, Cook Inlet. 
Sand Point, Aleutian. 
Savonoski, Bristol Bay. 
Savoonga, Bering Sea. 
Scammon Baj, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Selawik, Bering Strait. 
Seldovia, Cook Inlet. 
Shageluk, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon. 
Shaktoolik, Bering Strait. 
Sheldon's Point, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Shishmaref, Bering Strait. 
Shungnak, I3ering Strait. 
Slana, Copper Eiver. 
Sleetmute, Upper Kuskokwnm. 
South Xaknek, Bristol Bay. 
Squaw Harbor, Aleutian. 
Stebbins, Bering Strait. 
Stevens Village, Upper Yukon-Porcupine. 
Stony River, UiDper Kuskokwim. 
Takotna, Upper Kuskokwim. 
Tanacross, Tanana. 
Tanana, Koyukuk-Lower Yukon. 
Tatilek, Chugach. 
Tazlina, Copper River. 
Telida, Up])er Kuskokwim, 
Teller, Bering Strait. 
Tetlin, Tanana. 
Togiak, Bristol Bay. 
Toksook Bay, Southwest Coastal Lowland, 
Tulusak, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Tuntutuliak, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Tununak, Southwest Coastal Lowland. 
Twin Hills, Bristol Bay. 
Tyonek, Cook Inlet. 
Ugashik, Bristol Bay. 
Unalakleet, Bering Strait. 
Unalaska, Aleutian. 
Unga, Aleutian. 
Uyak, Kodiak. 
Venetie, Upper Yukon-Porcupine. 
TVaiuAvright, Arctic Slope. 
Wales, Bering Strait. 
White Mountain, Bering Strait. 
Review. 
(2) Within two and one-half years from the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall review all of the villages listed in sub-
section (b) (1) hereof, and a village shall not be eligible for land bene-
fits under subsections 14 (a) and (b). and any withdrawal for such 
village shall expire, if the Secretary determines that— 
(A) less than twenty-five Natives were residents of the village 
on the 1970 census enumeration date as shown by the census or 
other evidence satisfactory to the Secretary, who shall make find-
ings of fact in each instance; or, 
(B) the village is of a modern and urban character, and the 
majority of the residents are non-Native. 
Any Native group made ineligible by this subsection shall be consid-
ered under subsection 14(h). 
(3) Native villages not listed in subsection (b) (1) hereof shall be 
eligible for land and benefits under this Act and lands shall be with-
drawn j)ursuant to this section if the Secretary within two and one-
85 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 197L 
701 
half years from the date of enactment of this Act, determines that—• 
(A) twenty-five or more Natives were residents of an estab-
lished village on the 1970 census enumeration date as shown by 
the census or other evidence satisfactory to the Secretary, who 
shall make findings of fact in each instance; and 
(B) the village is not of a modern and urban character, and a 
majority of the residents are Natives. 
NATIVE LAND SELECTIONS 
SEC. 12. (a) (1) During a period of three years from the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Village Corporation for each Native village 
identified pursuant to section 11 shall select, in accordance with rules 
established by the Secretary, all of the township or townships in which 
any part of the village is located, plus an area that will make the 
total selection equal to the acreage to which the village is entitled under 
section 14. The selection shall be made from lands withdrawn by sub-
section 11 (a) : Provided^ That no Village Corporation may select more ^^^"^^^^ umita-
than 69,120 acres from lands withdrawn by subsection 11(a) (2), and 
not more than 69,120 acres from the National Wildlife Refuge Sys-
tem, and not more than 69,120 acres in a National Forest: Provided 
further^ That when a Village Corporation selects the surface estate to 
lands within the National Wildlife Refuge System or Naval Petro-
leum Reserve Numbered 4, the Regional Corporation for that region 
may select the subsurface estate in an equal acreage from other lands 
withdrawn by subsection 11(a) within the region, if possible. 
(2) Selections made under this subsection (a) shall be contiguous 
and in reasonably compact tracts, except as separated by bodies of 
water or by lands which are unavailable for selection, and shall be 
in whole sections and, wherever feasible, in units of not less than 1,280 
acres. 
(b) The difference between twenty-two million acres and the total 
Allocation. 
acreage selected by Village Corporations pursuant to subsection (a) 
shall be allocated by the Secretary among the eleven Regional Corpo-
rations (which excludes the Regional Corporation for southeastern 
Alaska) on the basis of the number of Natives enrolled in each region. 
Each Regional Corporation shall reallocate such acreage among the 
Native villages within the region on an equitable basis after consider- 
\ 
ing historic use, subsistence needs, and population. The action of the 
Secretary or the Corporation shall not be subject to judicial review. 
Each Village Corporation shall select the acreage allocated to it from 
the lands withdrawn by subsection 11 (a). 
(c) The difference between thirty-eight million acres and the 22 
million acres selected by Village Corporations pursuant to subsections 
(a) and (b) shall be allocated among the eleven Regional Corpora-
tions (which excludes the Regional Corporation for southeastern 
Alaska) as follows: 
(1) The number of acres each Regional Corporation is entitled to 
computation, 
receive shall be computed (A) by determining on the basis of avail-
able data the percentage of all land in Alaska (excluding the south-
eastern region) that is within each of the eleven regions, (B) by 
applying that percentage to thirty-eight million acres reduced by the 
acreage in the southeastern region that is to be selected pursuant 
to section 16, and (C) by deducting from the figure so computed the 
number of acres within that region selected pursuant to subsections 
(a) and (b). 
(2) In the event that the total number of acres selected within a 
region pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) exceeds the percentage of 
the reduced thirty-eight million acres allotted to that region pursuant 
702 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
[35 STAT. 
to subsection (c)(1)(B), that region shall not be entitled to receive 
any lands under this subsection (c). For each region so affected the 
difference between the acreage calculated pursuant to subsection (c) 
(1) (B) and the acreage selected pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) 
shall be deducted from the acreage calculated under subsection (c) 
(1) (C) for the remaining regions which will select lands under this 
subsection (c). The reductions shall be apportioned among the remain-
ing regions so that each region's share of the total reduction bears the 
same proportion to the total reduction as the total land area in that 
region (as calculated pursuant to subsection (c) (1) (A) bears to the 
total land area in all of the regions whose allotments are to be reduced 
pursuant to this paragraph. 
(3) Before the end of the fourth year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, each Regional Corporation shall select the acreage allocated 
to it from the lands within the region withdrawn pursuant to subsec-
tion 11(a) (1), and from the lands within the region withdrawn pur-
... 
suant to subsection 11(a) (3) to the extent lands withdrawn pursuant 
to subsection 11(a) (1) are not sufficient to satisfy its allocation: Pro-
vided^ That within the lands withdrawn by subsection 11(a) (1) the 
Regional Corporation may select only even numbered townships in 
even numbered ranges, and only odd numbered townships in odd num-
bered ranges. 
(d) To insure that the Village Corporation for the Native village at 
Dutch Harbor, if found eligible for land grants under this Act, has 
a full opportunity to select lands within and near the village, no fed-
erally owned lands, whether improved or not, shall be disposed of pur-
suant to the Federal surplus property disposal laws for a period of 
two years from the date of enactment of this Act. The Village Corpo-
ration may select such lands and improvements and receive patent to 
them pursuant to subsection 14(a) of this Act. 
Disputes, arbi- 
(e) Any dispute over the land selection rights and the boundaries 
of Village Corporations shall be resolved by a board of arbitrators 
consisting of one person selected by each of the Village Corporations 
involved, and an additional one or two persons, whichever is needed 
to make an odd number of arbitrators, such additional person or per-
sons to be selected by the arbitrators selected by the Village Corpora-
tions. 
'' 
SURVEYS 
SEC. 13. (a) The Secretary shall survey the areas selected or desig-
nated for conveyance to Village Corporations pursviant to the pro-
visions of tliis Act. He shall monument only exterior boundaries of 
the selected or designated areas at angle points and at intervals of 
approximately two miles on straight lines. No ground survey or monu-
mentation will be required along meanderable water boundaries. He 
shall survey within the areas selected or designated land occupied as a 
primary place of residence, as a primary place of business, and for 
other purposes, and any other land to be patented under this Act. 
(b) All withdrawals, selections, and conveyances pursuant to this 
Act shall be as shown on current plats of survey or protraction dia-
grams of the Bureau of Land Management, or protraction diagrams of 
the Bureau of the State where protraction diagrams of the Bureau of 
Land Management are not available, and shall conform as nearly as 
practicable to the United States Land Survey System. 
CONVEYANCE OF LANDS 
SEC. 14. (a) Immediately after selection by a Village Corpora-
tion for a Native village listed in section 11 which the Secretary 
tration< 
ments. 
85 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
703 
finds is qualified for land benefits under this Act, the Secretary shall 
issue to the Village Corporation a patent to the surface estate in the 
number of acres shown in the following table: 
If the village had on the 1970 census 
It shall be entitled to a patent to an 
enumeration date a Native popula- 
area of public lands equal to— 
tion between— 
25 and 99 
69,120 acres. 
100 and 199 
92,160 acres. 
200 and 399 
115,200 acres. 
400 and 599 
138,240 acres. 
600 or more 
161,280 acres. 
The lands patented shall be those selected by the Village Corpora-
tion pursuant to subsection 12(a). In addition, the Secretary shall 
issue to the Village Corporation a patent to the surface estate in the 
lands selected pursuant to subsection 12(b). 
(b) Immediately after selection by any Village Corporation for 
a Native village listed in section 16 which the Secretary finds is quali-
fied for land benefits under this Act, the Secretary shall issue to the 
Village Corporation a patent to the surface estate to 23,040 acres. The 
lands patented shall be the lands within the township or townships 
that enclose the Native village, and any additional lands selected by 
the Village Corporation from the surrounding townships withdrawn 
for the Native village by subsection 16 (a). 
(c) Each patent issued pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) shall _^^/^^"* ""^'i"'''^" 
be subject to the requirements of this subsection. Upon receipt of 
a patent or patents: 
(1) the Village Corporation shall first convey to any Native or 
non-Native occupant, without consideration, title to the surface 
estate in the tract occupied as a primary place of residence, or as 
a primary place of business, or as a subsistence campsite, or as 
headquarters for reindeer husbandry; 
(2) the Village Corporation shall then convey to the occupant, 
either without consideration or upon payment of an amount not in 
excess of fair market value, determined as of the date of initial 
occupancy and without regard to any improvements thereon, title 
to the surface estate in any tract occupied by a nonprofit 
organization; 
(3) the Village Corporation shall then convey to any Munici-
pal Corporation in the Native village or to the State in trust for 
any Municipal Corporation established in the Native village in 
the future, title to the remaining surface estate of the improved 
land on which the Native village is located and as much additional 
land as is necessary for community expansion, and appropriate 
rights-of-way for public use, and other foreseeable community 
needs: Provided^ That the amount of lands to be transferred to 
the Municipal Corporation or in trust shall be no less than 1,280 
acres; 
(4) the Village Corporation shall convey to the Federal Gov-
ernment, State or to the appropriate Municipal Corporation, title 
to the surface estate for existing airport sites, airwav beacons, and 
other navigation aids, together with such additional acreage and/ 
or easements as are necessary to provide related services and to 
insure safe approaches to airport runways; and 
(5) for a period of ten years after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Eegional Corporation shall be afforded the opportunity 
to review and render advice to the Village Corporations on all 
land sales, leases or other transactions prior to any final 
commitment. 
704 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
[85 STAT. 
Subsurface 
estate, patent. 
Mineral rights. 
72 Stat. 340; 
77 Stat. 223. 
48 u s e prec. 
2 1 note. 
Land convey-
ance, authoriza" 
(d) the Secretary may apply the rule of approximation with respect 
to the acreage limitations contained in this section. 
(e) Immediately after selection by a Regional Corporation, the Sec-
retary shall convey to the Regional Corporation title to the surface 
and/or the subsurface estates, as is appropriate, in the lands selected. 
(f) When the Secretary issues a patent to a Village Corporation for 
the surface estate in lands pursuant to subsections (a) and (b), he 
shall issue to the Regional Corporation for the region in which the 
lands are located a patent to the subsurface estate in such lands, except 
lands located in the National Wildlife Refuge System and lands with-
drawn or reserved for national defense purposes, including Naval 
Petroleum Reserve Numbered 4, for which in lieu rights are provided 
for in subsection 12(a)(1): Provided^ That the right to explore, 
develop, or remove minerals from the subsurface estate in the lands 
within the boundaries of any Native village shall be subject to the 
consent of the Village Corporation. 
(g) All conveyances made pursuant to this Act shall be subject to 
valid existing rights. Where, prior to patent of any land or minerals 
under this Act, a lease, contract, permit, right-of-way, or ease-
ment (including a lease issued under section 6(g) of the Alaska State-
hood Act) has been issued for the surface or minerals covered under 
such patent, the patent shall contain provisions making it subject to 
the lease, contract, permit, right-of-way, or easement, and the right 
of the lessee, contractee, permittee, or grantee to the complete enjoy-
ment of all rights, privileges, and benefits thereby granted to him. 
Upon issuance of the patent, the patentee shall succeed and become 
entitled to any and all interests of the State or the United States as 
lessor, contractor, permitter, or grantor, in any such leases, contracts, 
permits, rights-of-way, or easements covering the estate patented, and 
a lease issued under section 6(g) of the Alaska Statehood Act shall be 
treated for all purposes as though the patent had been issued to the 
State. The administration of such lease, contract, permit, right-of-
way, or easement shall continue to be by the State or the United 
States, unless the agency responsible for administration waives 
administration. In the event that the patent does not cover all of the 
land embraced within any such lease, contract, permit, right-of-way, 
or easement, the patentee shall only be entitled to the proportionate 
amount of the revenues reserved under such lease, contract, permit, 
right-of-way, or easement by the State or the United States which 
results from multiplying the total of such revenues by a fraction in 
which the numerator is the acreage of such lease, contract, permit, 
right-of-way, or easement which is included in the patent and the 
denominator is the total acreage contained in such lease, contract, 
permit, right-of-way, or easement. 
(h) The Secretary is authorized to withdraw and convey 2 million 
acres of unreserved and unappropriated public lands located outside 
the areas withdrawn by sections 11 and 16, and follows: 
(1) The Secretary may withdraw and convey to the appro-
priate Regional Corporation fee title to existing cemetery sites 
and historical places; 
(2) The Secretary may withdraw and convey to a Native group 
that does not qualify as a Native village, if it incorporates under 
the laws of Alaska, title to the surface estate in not more than 
23,040 acres surrounding the Native group's locality. The sub-
surface estate in such land shall be conveyed to the appropriate 
Regional Corporation ; 
(3) The Secretary may withdraw and convey to the Natives 
residing in Sitka, Kenai, Juneau, and Kodiak, if they incorporate 
under the laws of Alaska, the surface estate of lands of a similar 
85 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
705 
character in not more than 23,040 acres of land, which shall be 
located in reasonable proximity to the municipalities. The sub-
surface estate in such lands shall be conveyed to the appropriate 
Regional Corporation unless the lands are located in a Wildlife 
Refuge; 
(4) The Secretary shall withdraw only such lands surrounding 
the villages and municipalities as are necessary to permit the con-
veyance authorized by paragraphs (2) and (3) to be planned and 
effected; 
(5) The Secretary may convey to a Native, upon application 
within two years from the date of enactment of this Act, the sur-
face estate in not to exceed 160 acres of land occupied by the 
Native as a primary place of residence on August 31,1971. Deter-
mination of occupancy shall be made by the Secretary, whose 
decision shall be final. The subsurface estate in such lands shall 
be conveyed to the appropriate Regional Corporations; 
(6) The Secretary shall charge against the 2 million acres 
authorized to be conveyed by this section all allotments approved 
pursuant to section 18 during the four years following the date 
of enactment of this Act; 
(7) The Secretary may withdraw and convey lands out of the 
National Wildlife Refuge System and out of the National Forests, 
for the purposes set forth in subsections (h) (1), (2), (3), and 
(5); and 
(8) Any portion of the 2 million acres not conveyed by this 
subsection shall be allocated and conveyed to the Regional Cor-
porations on the basis of population. 
TIMBER SALE CONTRACTS 
SEC. 15. Notwithstanding the provisions of existing National Forest 
timber sale contracts that are directly affected by conveyances author-
ized by this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to modify 
any such contract, with the consent of the purchaser, by substituting, 
to the extent practicable, timber on other national forest lands approx-
imately equal in volume, species, grade, and accessibility for timber 
standing on any land affected by such conveyances, and, on request of 
the appropriate Village Corporation the Secretary of Agriculture is 
directed to make such substitution to the extent it is permitted by the 
timber sale contract without the consent of the purchaser. 
THE TLINGIT-HAIDA SETTLEMENT 
SEC. 16. (a) All public lands in each township that encloses all or 
any part of a Native village listed below, and in each township that is 
contiguous to or corners on such township, except lands withdrawn 
or reserved for national defense purposes, are hereby withdrawn, sub-
ject to valid existing rights, from all forms of appropriation under 
the public land laws, including the mining and mineral leasing laws, 
and from selection under the Alaska Statehood Act, as amended: 
l^ f^^^ ^^g. 
Angoon, Southeast. 
Craig, Southeast. 
Hoonah, Southeast, 
Hydaburg, Southeast. 
Kake, Southeast. 
Kasaan, Southeast. 
Klawock, Southeast. 
Klukwan, Southeast. 
Saxman, Southeast. 
Yakutat, Southeast. 
48 u s e prec. 
21 note. 
706 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
[85 STAT. 
25 u s e 1211. 
(b) During a period of three years from the date of enactment of 
this Act, each Village Corporation for the villages listed in subsection 
(a) shall select, in accordance with rules established by the Secretary, 
an area equal to 23,040 acres, which must include the township or town-
ships in which all or part of the Native village is located, plus, to the 
extent necessary, withdrawn lands from the townships that are con-
tiguous to or corner on such township. All selections shall be contig-
uous and in reasonably compact tracts, except as separated by bodies of 
water, and shall conform as nearly as practicable to the United States 
Lands Survey System. 
(c) The funds appropriated by the Act of July 9, 1968 (82 Stat. 
307), to pay the judgment of the Court of Claims in the case of The 
Tlingit and Haida Indians of Alaska, et al. against The United States, 
numbered 47,900, and distributed to the Tlingit and Haida Indians pur-
suant to the Act of July 13, 1970 (84 Stat. 431), are in lieu of the 
additional acreage to be conveyed to qualified villages listed in sec-
tion 11. 
E stablishment. 
Membership. 
Compensation. 
80 Stat, 463; 
83 Stat. 864. 
5 u s e 5316. 
5 u s e 101 et 
seq. 
J O I N T FEDERAL-STATE LAND USE P L A N N I N G COMMISSION FOR ALASKA 
SEC. 17. (a) (1) There is hereby established the Joint Federal-State 
Land Use Planning Commission for Alaska. The Planning Commis-
sion shall be composed of ten members as follows: 
(A) The Governor of the State (or his designate) and four mem-
bers who shall be appointed by the Governor. During the Planning 
Commission's existence at least one member appointed by the Gov-
ernor shall be a Native as defined by this Act. 
(B) One member appointed by the President of the United States 
with the advice and consent of the Senate, and four members who shall 
be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. 
(2) The Governor of the State and the member appointed by the 
President pursuant to subsection (a) (1) (B), shall serve as cochairmen 
of the Planning Commission. The initial meeting of the Commission 
shall be called by the cochairmen. All decisions of the Commission 
shall require the concurrence of the cochairmen. 
(3) Six members of the Planning Commission shall constitute a 
quorum. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing 
authority. A vacancy in the membership of the Commission shall not 
affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner in which the 
original appointment was made. 
(4) (A) Except to the extent otherwise provided in subparagraph 
(B) of this subsection, members of the Planning Commission shall 
receive compensation at the rate of $100 per day for each day they are 
engaged in the performance of their duties as members of the Com-
mission. All members of the Commission shall be entitled to reim-
bursement for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses 
incurred by them in the performance of their duties as members of the 
Commission. 
(B) Any member of the Planning Commission who is designated 
or appointed from the Government of the United States or from the 
Government of the State shall serve without compensation in addition 
to that received in his regular employment. The member of the Com-
mission appointed by the President pursuant to subsection (a)(1)(B) 
shall be compensated as provided by the President at a rate not in 
excess of that provided for level V of the Executive Schedule in title 
5, United States Code. 
(5) Subject to such rules and regulations as may be adopted by the 
Planning Commission, the cochairmen, without regard to the provi-
sions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the 
85 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1071 
707 
competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of chapter 
51 and subchapter I I I of chapter 53 of such title relating to classifica-
tion and General Schedule pay rates, shall have the power— 
(A) to appoint and fix the compensation of such staff personnel 
as they deem necessary, and 
(B) to procure temporary and intermittent services to the same 
extent as is authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States 
Code, but at rates not to exceed $100 a dav for individuals. 
(6) (A) The Planning Commission or, on tne authorization of the 
Commission, any subcommittee or member thereof, may, for the pur-
pose of carrying out the provisions of this section, hold such hearings, 
take such testimony, receive such evidence, print or otherwise repro-
duce and distribute so much of its proceedings and reports thereon, 
and sit and act at such times and places as the Commission, subcom-
mittee, or member deems advisable. 
(B) Each department, agency, and instrumentality of the execu-
tive branch of the Federal Government, including independent agen-
cies, is authorized and directed to furnish to the Commission, upon 
request made by a cochairman, such information as the Commission 
deems necessary to carry out its functions under this section. 
(7) The Planning Commission shall— 
(A) undertake a process of land-use planning, including the 
identification of and the making of recommendations concerning 
areas planned and best suited for permanent reservation in Fed-
eral ownership as parks, game refuges, and other public uses, areas 
of Federal and State lands to be made available for disposal, and 
uses to be made of lands remaining in Federal and State owner-
ship; 
(B) make recommendations with respect to proposed land 
selections by the State under the Alaska Statehood Act and by 
Village and Regional Corporations under this Act; 
(C) be available to advise upon and assist in the development 
and review of land-use plans for lands selected by the Native 
Village and Regional Corporations under this Act and by the 
State under the Alaska Statehood Act; 
(D) review existing withdrawals of Federal public lands and 
recommend to the President of the United States such additions 
to or modifications of withdrawals as are deemed desirable; 
(E) establish procedures, including public hearings, 
for 
obtaining public views on the land-use planning programs of the 
State and Federal Governments for lands under their adminis-
tration ; 
(F) establish a committee of land-use advisers to the Commis-
sion, made up of representatives of commercial and industrial 
land users in Alaska, recreational land users, wilderness users, 
environmental groups, Alaska Natives, and other citizens; 
(G) make recommendations to the President of the United 
States and the Governor of Alaska as to programs and budgets 
of the Federal and State agencies responsible for the administra-
tion of Federal and State lands; 
(H) make recommendations from time to time to the President 
of the United States, Congress, and the Governor and legislature 
of the State as to changes in laws, policies, and programs that the 
Planning Commission determines are necessary or desirable; 
(I) make recommendations to insure that economic growth and 
development is orderly, planned and compatible with State and 
national environmental objectives, the public interest in the pub-
lic lands, parks, forests, and wildlife refuges in Alaska, and the 
economic and social well-being of the Native people and other 
residents of Alaska; 
80 Stat, 443, 
467. 
5 u s e 5101, 
5331. 
5 u s e 5332 
note. 
80 Stat. 416, 
Hearings, 
Information , 
availability. 
72 Stat, 339, 
48 u s e prec, 
21 note. 
75-432 O - 72 - 47 
708 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
[85 STAT. 
Report to 
President and 
Congress of U.S., 
Governor and 
legislature of 
Alaska. 
Recordkeeping. 
Appropriation. 
Final report. 
Termination 
date. 
Public ease-
ments. 
Unreserved 
public land, with-
drawal. 
(J) make recommendations to improve coordination and con-
sultation between the State and Federal Governments in making 
resource allocation and land use decisions; and 
(K) make recommendations on ways to avoid conflict between 
the State and the Native people in the selection of public lands. 
(8) (A) On or before January 31 of each year, the Planning Com-
mission shall submit to the President of the United States, the Con-
gress, and the Governor and legislature of the State a written report 
with respect to its activities during the preceding calendar year. 
(B) The Planning Commission shall keep and maintain accurate 
and complete records of its activities and transactions in carrying out 
its duties under this Act, and such records shall be available for pub-
lic inspection. 
(C) The principal office of the Planning Commission shall be 
located in the State. 
(9) (A) The United States shall be responsible for paying for any 
fiscal year only 50 per centum of the costs of carrying out subsections 
(a) and (b) for such fiscal year. 
(B) For the purpose oi meeting the responsibility of the United 
States in carrying out the provisions of this section, there is authorized 
to be appropriated $1,500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30,1972, 
and for each succeeding fiscal year. 
(10) On or before May 30,1976, the Planning Commission shall sub-
mit its final report to the President of the United States, the Congress, 
and the Governor and legislature of the State with respect to its 
planning and other activities under this Act, together with its recom-
mendations for programs or other actions which it determines should 
be taken or carried out by the United States and the State. The Com-
mission shall cease to exist effective December 31,1976. 
(b) (1) The Planning Commission shall identify public easements 
across lands selected by Village Corporations and the Regional Cor-
porations and at periodic points along the courses of major water-
ways which are reasonably necessary to guarantee international treaty 
obligations, a full right of public use and access for recreation, hunting, 
transportation, utilities, docks, and such other public uses as the 
Planning Commission determines to be important. 
(2) In identifying public easements the Planning Commission shall 
consult with appropriate State and Federal agencies, shall review 
proposed transportation plans, and shall receive and review statements 
and recommendations from interested organizations and individuals 
on the need for and proposed location of public easements: Provided^ 
That any valid existing right recognized by this Act shall continue 
to have whatever right of access as is now provided for under existing 
law and this subsection shall not operate in any way to diminish or 
limit such right of access. 
(3) Prior to granting any patent under this Act to the Village Cor-
poration and Regional Corporations, the Secretary shall consult with 
the State and the Planning Commission and shall reserve such public 
easements as he determines are necessary. 
(c) In the event that the Secretary withdraws a utility and trans-
portation corridor across public lands in Alaska pursuant to his exist-
ing authority, the State, the Village Corporations and the Regional 
Corporations shall not be permitted to select lands from the area 
withdrawn. 
(d) (1) Public Land Order Numbered 4582, 34 Federal Register 
1025, as amended, is hereby revoked. For a period of ninety days after 
the date of enactment of this Act all unreserved public lands in Alaska 
are hereby withdrawn from all forms of appropriation under the pub-
lic land laws, including the mining (except locations for metalliferous 
85 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
709 
minerals) and the mineral leasing laws. During this period of time 
the Secretary shall review the public lands in Alaska and determine 
whether any portion of these lands should be withdrawn under author-
ity provided for in existing law to insure that the public interest in 
these lands is properly protected. Any further withdrawal shall 
require an affirmative act by the Secretary under his existing authority, 
and the Secretary is authorized to classify or reclassify any lands so 
withdrawn and to open such lands to appropriation under the public 
land laws in accord with his classifications. Withdrawals pursuant to 
this paragraph shall not affect the authority of the Village Corpora-
tions, the Regional Corporations, and the State to make selections and 
obtain patents within the areas withdrawn pursuant to section 11. 
(2) (A) The Secretary, acting under authority provided for in 
existing law, is directed to withdraw from all forms of appropriation 
under the public land laws, including the mining and mineral leasing 
laws, and from selection under the Alaska Statehood Act, and from 
^ ^*sc p
^
r
e
c
*
. 
selection by Regional Corporations pursuant to section 11, up to, but 21 note. 
not to exceed, eighty million acres of unreserved public lands in the 
State of Alaska, including previously classified lands, which the Sec-
retary deems are suitable for addition to or creation as units of the 
National Park, Forest, Wildlife Refuge, and Wild and Scenic Rivers 
Systems: Provided, That such withdrawals shall not affect the author-
ity of the State and the Regional and Village Corporations to make 
selections and obtain patents within the areas withdrawn pursuant to 
section 11. 
(B) Lands withdrawn pursuant to paragraph (A) hereof must be ^^l^^^^l^^' 
withdrawn within nine months of the date of enactment of this Act. 
All unreserved public lands not withdrawn under paragraph (A) or 
subsection 17(d) (1) shall be available for selection by the State and 
for appropriation under the public land laws. 
(C) Every six months, for a period of two years from the date of 
Report to con-
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall advise the Congress of the ^'•^^^' 
location, size and values of lands withdrawn pursuant to paragraph 
(A) and submit his reconmiendations with respect to such lands. Any 
lands withdrawn pui-suant to paragraph (A) not recommended for 
addition to or creation as units of the National Park, Forest, Wildlife 
Refuge, and Wild and Scenic Rivers Systems at the end of the two 
years shall be available for selection by the State and the Regional Cor-
porations, and for appropriation under the public land laws. 
(D) Areas recommended by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph 
(C) shall remain withdrawn from any appropriation under the public 
land laws until such time as the Congress acts on the Secretary's rec-
ommendations, but not to exceed five years from the recommendation 
dates. Tlie withdrawal of areas not so recommended shall terminate at 
the end of the two year period. 
(E) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, initial 
identification of lands desired to be selected by the State pursuant to 
the Alaska Statehood Act and by the Regional Corporations pursuant 
to section 12 of this Act may be made within any area withdrawn pur-
suant to this subsection (d), but such lands shall not ibe tentatively 
approved or patented so long as the withdrawals of such areas remain 
in effect: Provided, 
That selection of lands by Village Corpora-
tions pursuant to section 12 of this Act shall not be affected by such 
withdrawals and such lands selected may be patented and such rights 
granted as authorized by this Act. In the event Congress enacts legis-
lation setting aside any areas withdrawn under the provisions of this 
subsection which the Regional Corporations or the State desired to 
select, then other unreserved public lands shall be made available for 
alternative selection by the Regional Corporations and the State. Any 
43 u s e 270-1 
to 270-3. 
710 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
[85 STAT. 
time periods established by law for Regional Corporations or State 
selections are hereby extended to the extent that delays are caused by 
compliance with the provisions of this subsection (2). 
(3) Any lands withdrawn under this section shall be subject to 
administration by the Secretary mider applicable laws and regula-
tions, and his authority to make contracts and to grant leases, permits, 
rights-of-way, or easements shall not be impaired by the withdrawal. 
REVOCATION OF INDIAN ALLOTMENT AUTHORITY I N ALASKA 
SEC. 18. (a) No Native covered by the provisions of this Act, and 
no descendant of his, may hereafter avail himself of an allotment 
under the provisions of the Act of February 8, 1887 (24 Stat. 389), 
25 use 334. 
^g amended and supplemented, or the Act of June 25, 1910 (36 Stat. 
36 Stat. 863. 
363). Further, the Act of May 17, 1906 (34 Stat. 197), as amended, is 
Re^au^^^' 
hereby repealed. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this 
70 Stat. 954. 
scctiou, aiiy application for an allotment that is pending before the 
Department of the Interior on the date of enactment of this Act may, 
at the option of the Native applicant, be approved and a patent issued 
in accordance with said 1887,1910, or 1906 Act, as the case may be, in 
which event the Native shall not be eligible for a patent under sub-
section 14(h) (5) of this Act. 
(b) Any allotments approved pursuant to this section during the 
four years following enactment of this Act shall be charged against 
the two million acre grant provided for in subsection 14 (h). 
REVOCATION OF RESERVATIONS 
SEC. 19. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and except 
where inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, the various reserves 
set aside by legislation or by Executive or Secretarial Order for Native 
use or for administration of Native affairs, including those created 
under the Act of May 31,1938 (52 Stat. 593), are hereby revoked sub-
ject to any valid existing rights of non-Natives. This section shall 
not apply to the Annette Island Reserve established by the Act of 
25 use 495. 
March 3,1891 (26 Stat. 1101) and no person enrolled in the Metlakatla 
Indian community of the Annette Island Reserve shall be eligible for 
benefits under this Act. 
(b) Notw^ithstanding any other provision of law or of this Act, any 
Village Corporation or Corporations may elect within two years to 
acquire title to the surface and subsurface estates in any reserve set 
aside for the use or benefit of its stockholder's or members prior to the 
date of enactment of this Act. If two or more villages are located on 
such reserve the election must be made by all of the members or stock-
holders of the Village Corporations concerned. In such event, the 
Secretary shall convey the land to the Village Corporation or Corpo-
rations, subject to valid existing rights as provided in subsection 14(g), 
and the Village Corporation shall not be eligible for any other land 
selections under this Act or to any distribution of Regional Corpora-
tion funds pursuant to section 7, and the enrolled residents of the Vil-
lage Corporation shall not be eligible to receive Regional Corporation 
stock. 
ATTORNEY AND CONSULTANT FEES 
SEC. 20. (a) The Secretary of the Treasury shall hold in the Alaska 
Native Fund, from the appropriation made pursuant to section 6 
for the second fiscal year, moneys sufficient to make the payments 
authorized by this section. 
25 u s e 497. 
Rules. 
85 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
711 
(b) A claim for attorney and consultant fees and out-of-pocket 
ciaims. 
expenses may be submitted to the Chief Commissioner of the United 
States Court of Claims for services rendered before the date of enact-
ment of this Act to any Native tribe, band, group, village, or association 
in connection with: 
(1) the preparation of this Act and previously proposed 
Federal legislation to settle Native claims based on aboriginal 
title, and 
(2) the actual prosecution pursuant to an authorized contract 
or a cause of action based upon a claim pending before any 
Federal or State Court or the Indians Claims Commission that is 
dismissed pursuant to this Act. 
(c) A claim under this section must be filed with the clerk of the 
filing date. 
Court of Claims within one year from the date of enactment of this 
Act, and shall be in such form and contain such information as the 
Chief Commissioner shall prescribe. Claims not so filed shall be forever 
barred. 
(d) The Chief Commissioner or his delegate is authorized to receive, 
determine, and settle such claims in accordance with the following 
rules: 
(1) No claim shall be allowed if the claimant has otherwise been 
reimbursed. 
(2) The amount allowed for services shall be based on the nature of 
the service rendered, the time and labor required, the need for provid-
ing the service, whether the service was intended to be a voluntary 
public service or compensable, the existence of a bona fide attorney-
client relationship with an identified client, and the relationship of the 
service rendered to the enactment of proposed legislation. The amount 
allowed shall not be controlled by any hourly charge customarily 
charged by the claimant. 
(3) The amount allowed for out-of-pocket expenses shall not include 
office overhead, and shall be limited to expenses that were necessary, 
reasonable, unreimbursed and actually incurred. 
(4) The amounts allowed for services rendered shall not exceed in 
the aggregate $2,000,000, of which not more than $100,000 shall be 
available for the payment of consultants' fees. If the approved claims 
exceed the aggregate amounts allowable, the Chief Commissioner shall 
authorize payment of the claims on a pro rata basis. 
(5) Upon the filing of a claim, the clerk of the Court of Claims 
shall forward a copy of such claims to the individuals or entities on 
whose behalf services were rendered or fees and expenses were 
allegedly incurred, as shown by the pleadings, to the Attorney General 
of the United States, to the Attorney General of the State of Alaska, 
to the Secretary of the Interior, and to any other person who appears 
to have an interest in the claim, and shall give such persons ninety 
days within which to file an answer contesting the claim. 
(6) Tlie Chief Commissioner may designate a trial commissioner 
for any claim made under this section and a panel of three commis-
sioners of the court to serve as a reviewing body. One member of the 
review panel shall be designated as presiding commissioner of the 
panel. 
(7) Proceedings in all claims shall be pursuant to rules and orders 
prescribed for the purpose by the Chief Commissioner who is hereby 
authorized and directed to require the application of the pertinent 
rules of practice of the Court of Claims insofar as feasible. Claimants 
may appear before a trial commissioner in person or by attorney, and 
may produce evidence and examine witnesses. In the discretion of the 
Chief Commissioner or his designate, hearings may be held in the 
localities where the claimants reside if convenience so demands. 
712 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
[85 STAT. 
subpena power. 
(g) Each trial commissioner and each review panel shall have 
authority to do and perform any acts which may be necessary or proper 
for the efficient performance of their duties, and shall have the power 
of subpena, the power to order audit of books and records, and tihe 
power to administer oaths and affirmations. Any sanction authorized 
by the rules of practice of the Court of Claims, except contempt, may 
be imposed on any claimant, witness, or attorney by the trial commis-
sioner, review panel, or Chief Commissioner. None of the rules, regula-
tions, rulings, findings, or conclusions authorized by this section shall 
be subject to judicial review. 
(9) The findings and conclusions of the trial commissioner shall be 
submitted by him, together with the record in the case, to the review 
panel of commissioners for review by it pursuant to such rules as may 
be provided for the purpose, which shall include provision for sub-
mitting the decision of the trial commissioner to the claimant and any 
party contesting the claim for consideration, exception, and argument 
before the panel. The panel, by majority vote, shall adopt or modify 
the findings or the conclusions of the trial commissioner. 
(10) The Court of Claims is hereby authorized and directed, under 
such conditions as it may prescribe, to provide the facilities and serv-
ices of the office of the clerk of the court for the filing, processing, 
hearing, and dispatch of claims made pursuant to this section and to 
include within its annual appropriations the costs thereof and other 
costs of administration, including (but without limitation to the items 
herein listed) the salaries and traveling expenses of its auditors and 
the commissioners serving as trial commissioners and panel members, 
mailing and service of process, necessary physical facilities, equipment, 
and supplies, and personnel (including secretaries, reporters, auditors, 
and law clerks). 
r^^^°'^ *° *^°"' 
(e) The Chief Commissioner shall certify to the Secretary of the 
Treasury, and report to the Congress, the amount of each claim allowed 
and the name and address of the claimant. The Secretary of the Treas-
ury shall pay to such person from the Alaska Native Fund the amounts 
certified. No award under this section shall bear interest. 
(f) (1) No remuneration on account of any services or expenses for 
which a claim is made or could be made pursuant to this section shall 
be received by any person for such services and expenses in addition 
to the amount paid in accordance with this section, and any contract 
or agreement to the contrary shall be void. 
Penalty. 
(2) Any pcrsou who receives, and any corporation or association 
official who pays, on account of such services and expenses, any re-
muneration in addition to the amount allowed in accordance with this 
section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, 
shall be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than 
twelve months, or both. 
Filing costs, 
^g^ ^ claim for actual costs incurred in filing protests, preserving 
land claims, advancing land claims settlement legislation, and present-
ing testimony to the Congress on proposed Native land claims may 
be submitted to the Chief Commissioner of the Court of Claims by 
any bona fide association of Natives. The claim must be submitted 
within six months from the date of enactment of this Act, and 
shall be in such form and contain such information as the Chief Com-
missioner shall prescribe. The Chief Commissioner shall allow such 
amounts as he determines are reasonable, but he shall allow no amount 
for attorney and consultant fees and expenses which shall be com-
pensable solely under subsection (b) through (e). If approved claims 
under this subsection aggregate more than $600,000, each claim shall be 
Report to Con- 
rcduced on a pro rata basis. The Chief Commissioner shall certify to 
the Secretary of the Treasury, and report to the Congress, the amount 
gress. 
Restriction. 
gress. 
85 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
713 
of each claim allowed and the name and address of the claimant. The 
Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to such claimant from the Alaska 
Native Fund the amount certified. No award under this subsection 
shall bear interest. 
TAXATION 
SEC. 21. (a) Revenues originating from the Alaska Native Fund 
shall not be subject to any form of Federal, State, or local taxation 
at the time of receipt by a Regional Corporation, Village Corporation, 
or individual Native through dividend distributions or in any other 
manner. This exemption shall not apply to income from the invest-
ment of such revenues. 
(b) The receipt of shares of stock in the Regional or Village Cor-
porations by or on behalf of any Native shall not be subject to any 
form of Federal, State or local taxation. 
(c) The receipt of land or any interest therein pursuant to this Act 
or of cash in order to equalize the values of properties exchanged pur-
suant to subsection 22(f) shall not be subject to any form of Federal, 
State or local taxation. The basis for computing gain or loss on sub-
sequent sale or other disposition of such land or interest in land for 
purposes of any Federal, State or local tax imposed on or measured by 
income shall be the fair value of such land or interest in land at the 
time of receipt. 
(d) Real property interests conveyed, pursuant to this Act, to a 
Native individual. Native groilp, or Village or Regional Corporation 
which are not developed or leased to third parties, shall be exempt 
from State and local real property taxes for a period of twenty years 
after the date of enactment of this Act: Provided^ That munic-
ipal taxes, local real property taxes, or local assessments may be 
imposed upon leased or developed real property within the jurisdic-
tion of any governmental unit under the laws of the State: Pro-
mded further^ That easements, rights-of-way, leaseholds, and similar 
interests in such real property may be taxed in accordance with State 
or local law. All rents, royalties, profits, and other revenues or pro-
ceeds derived from such property interests shall be taxable to the 
same extent as such revenues or proceeds are taxable when received 
by a non-Native individual or corporation. 
(e) Real property interests conveyed pursuant to this Act to a 
Native individual. Native group, or Village or Regional Corporation 
shall, so long as the fee therein remains not subject to State or local 
taxes on real estate, continue to be regarded as public lands for the 
purpose of computing the Federal share of any highway project pur-
suant to title 23 of the United States Code, as amended and supple-
mented, for the purpose of the Johnson-O'Malley Act of April 16,1934, 
23 use 101 at 
as amended (25 U.S.C. 452), and for the purpose of Public Laws 815 ^
^
4
*
^
9 gtat. MSS. 
and 874, 81st Congress (64 Stat. 967, 1100), and so long as there are 
72 stat! 548.* 
also no substantial revenues from such lands, continue to receive forest 
^^ ^l^r T^] 
fire protection services from the United States at no cost. 
MISCELLANEOUS 
SEC. 22. (a) None of the revenues granted by section 6, and none 
of the lands granted by this Act to the Regional and Village Corpora-
tion and to Native groups and individuals shall l^e subject to any 
contract which is based on a percentage fee of the value of all or some 
portion of the settlement granted by this Act. Any such contract shall 
not be enforceable against any Native as defined by this Act or any 
Regional or Village Corporation and the revenues and lands granted 
by this Act shall not be subject to lien, execution or judgment to fulfill 
such a contract. 
20 u s e 631, 236. 
714 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
[85 STAT. 
Patents. 
34 Stat. 1052. 
Mining claims, 
possessory rights. 
National Wild-
life Refuge Sys-
tem lands. 
Land exchangeS( 
Withdrawals, 
termination dates. 
(b) The Secretary is directed to promptly issue patents to all per-
sons who have made a lawful entry on the public lands in compliance 
with the public land laws for the purpose of gaining title to home-
steads, headquarters sites, trade and manufacturing sites, or small 
tract sites (43 U.S.C. 682), and who have fulfilled all requirements of 
the law prerequisite to obtaining a patent. Any person who has made 
a lawful entry prior to August 31, 1971, for any of the foregoing 
purposes shall be protected in his right of use and occupancy until all 
the requirements of law for a patent have been met even though the 
lands involved have been reserved or withdrawn in accordance with 
Public Land Order 4582, as amended, or the withdrawal provisions of 
this Act: Provided^ That occupancy must have been maintained in 
accordance with the appropriate public land law: Provided 
further^ 
That any person who entered on public lands in violation of Public 
Land Order 4582, as amended, shall gain no rights. 
(c) On any lands conveyed to Village and Regional Corporations, 
any person who prior to August 31, 1971, initiated a valid mining 
claim or location under the general mining laws and recorded notice 
of said location with the appropriate State or local office shall be pro-
tected in his possessory rights, if all requirements of the general min-
ing laws are complied with, for a period of five years and may, if 
all requirements of the general mining laws are complied with, pro-
ceed to patent. 
(d) The provisions of Revised Statute 452 (43 U.S.C. 11) shall 
not apply to any land grants or other rights granted under this Act. 
(e) If land within the National Wildlife Refuge System is selected 
by a Village Corporation pursuant to the provisions of this Act, the 
secretary shall add to the Refuge System other public lands in the 
State to replace the lands selected by the Village Corporation. 
(f) The Secretary, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of 
Agriculture are authorized to exchange any lands or interests therein 
in Alaska under their jurisdiction for lands or interests therein of 
the Village Corporations, Regional Corporations, individuals, or the 
State for the purpose of effecting land consolidations or to facilitate 
the management or development of the land. Exchanges shall be on 
the basis of equal value, and either party to the exchange may pay or 
accept cash in order to equalize the value of the properties exchanged. 
(g) If a patent is issued to any Village Corporation for land in 
the National Wildlife Refuge System, the patent shall reserve to the 
United States the right of first refusal if the land is ever sold by the 
Village Corporation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, 
every patent issued by the Secretary pursuant to this Act—which cov-
ers lands lying within the boundaries of a National Wildlife Refuge 
on the date of enactment of this Act shall contain a provision that 
such lands remain subject to the laws and regulations governing use 
and development of such Refuge. 
(h) (1) All withdrawals made under this Act, except as otherwise 
provided in this subsection, shall terminate within four years of the 
date of enactment of this Act: Provided^ That any lands selected by 
Village or Regional Corporations or by a Native group under section 
12 shall remain withdrawn until conveyed pursuant to section 14. 
(2) The withdrawal of lands made by subsection 11(a)(2) and 
section 16 shall terminate three years from the date of enactment of 
this Act. 
(3) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any withdraw-
als made under section 17 of this Act. 
(4) The Secretary is authorized to terminate any withdrawal made 
by or pursuant to this Act whenever he determines that the withdrawal 
is no longer necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Act. 
national forests 
conditions. 
85 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-203-DEC. 18, 1971 
715 
(i) Prior to a conveyance pursuant to section 14, lands withdrawn 
by or pursuant to sections 11,14, and 16 shall be subject to administra-
tion by the Secretary, or by the Secretary of Agriculture in the case 
of National Forest lands, under applicable laws and regulations, and 
their authority to make contracts and to grant leases, permits, rights-
of-way, or easements shall not be impaired by the withdrawal. 
(j) In any area of Alaska for which protraction diagrams of the 
Bureau of Land Management or the State do not exist, or which does 
not conform to the United States Land Survey System, or which has 
not been surveyed in a manner adequate to withdraw and grant the 
lands provided for under this Act, the Secretary shall take such 
actions as are necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Act, and 
the deeds granted shall note that upon completion of an adequate 
survey appropriate adjustments will be made to insure that the bene-
ficiaries of the land grants receive their full entitlement, 
(k) Any patents to lands under this Act which are located within 
Land patents in 
the boundaries of a national forest shall contain such conditions as the 
Secretary deems necessary to assure that: 
(i) the sale of any timber from such lands shall, for a period 
of five years, be subject to the same restrictions relating to the 
export of timber from the United States as are applicable to 
national forest lands in Alaska under rules and regulations of the 
Secretary of Agriculture; and 
(2) such lands are managed under the principle of sustained 
yield and under management practices for protection and enhance-
ment of environmental quality no less stringent than such 
management practices on adjacent national forest lands for a 
period of twelve years. 
(1) Notwithstanding any provision of this Act, no Village or 
^,^'^^, selection 
Regional Corporation shall select lands which are within two miles ^
"
^
^ ° *°"' 
from the boundary, as it exists on the date of enactment of this Act, 
of any home rule or first class city (excluding boroughs) or which are 
within six miles from the boundary of Ketchikan. 
REVIEW BY CONGRESS 
SEC. 23. The Secretary shall submit to the Congress annual reports 
Reports to can-
on implementation of this Act. Such reports shall be filed by the Sec- ^'^^^^* 
retary annually until 1984. At the beginning of the first session of 
Congress in 1985 the Secretary shall submit, through the President, 
a report of the status of the Natives and Native groups in Alaska, 
and a summary of actions taken under this Act, together with such 
recommendations as may be appropriate. 
APPROPRIATIONS 
SEC. 24. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may 
be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
PUBLICATIONS 
SEC. 25. The Secretary is authorized to issue and publish in the Fe^d"^i\''Re°rs'"r 
Federal Register, pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, 
eo^sLt. 237^"^' 
such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this 
^ use 551 e^ 
Act. 
"^'^• 
SAVING CLAUSE 
SEC. 26. To the extent that there is a conflict between any provision 
of this Act and any other Federal laws applicable to Alaska, the pro-
visions of this Act shall govern. 
716 
PUBLIC LAW 92-204-DEC. 18, 1971 
[85 STAT. 
SEPARABILITY 
SEC. 27. If any provision of this Act or the applicability thereof is 
held invalid the remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby. 
Approved December 18, 1971. 
Public Law 92-204 
AN ACT 
December 18, 1971 
^i> /iv^ 1 
[H. R. 11731] 
Making appropriations for the Department of Defense for tlie fiscal year ending 
June 30,1972, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatwes 
of the 
Department o
f 
United States of America in Congress assembled^ That the following 
prll^tro^n A^t^'^1972. sums are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not other-
wise appropriated, for the fiscal year ending June 30,1972, for military 
functions administered by the Department of Defense, and for other 
purposes, namely: 
TITLP: I 
MILITARY PERSONNEL 
MILITARY PERSONNEL, ARMY 
For pay, allowances, individual clothing, subsistence, interest on 
deposits, gratuities, permanent change of station travel (including all 
expenses thereof for organizational movements), and expenses of tem-
porary duty travel between permanent duty stations, for members of 
the Army on active duty (except members of reserve components pro-
vided for elsewhere); $7,31.5,637,000. 
MILITARY PERSONNEL, NAVY 
For pay, allowances, individual clothing, subsistence, interest on 
deposits, gratuities, permanent change of station travel (including all 
expenses thereof for organizational movements), and expenses of tem-
porary duty travel between permanent duty stations, for members of 
the Navy on active duty (except members of the Reserve provided for 
elsewhere), midshipmen, and aviation cadets; $4,558,571,000. 
MILITARY PERSONNEL, MARINE CORPS 
For pay, allowances, individual clothing, subsistence, interest on 
deposits, gratuities, permanent change of station travel (including all 
expenses thereof for organizational movements), and expenses of tem-
porary duty travel between permanent duty stations, for members of 
the Marine Corps on active duty (except members of the Reserve pro-
vided for elsewhere); $1,332,560,000. 
MILITARY PERSONNEL, XAIR FORCE 
For pay, allowances, individual clothing, subsistence, interest on 
deposits, gratuities, permanent change of station travel (including all 
expenses thereof for organizational movements), and expenses of tem-
porary duty travel between permanent duty stations, for members of 
the Air Force on active duty (except members of reserve components 
provided for elsewhere), cadets, and aviation cadets; $6,470,283,000.