58 US reps sign letter opposing Sealaska lands bill

US reps sign letter against Sealaska lands bill

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Dozens of U.S. House members have signed a letter opposing a bill allowing a private Alaska Native corporation to select choice lands in the nation’s largest national forest for its own use.

The bill would allow Sealaska Corp. to pick lands outside designated areas — a feature that has led to charges that the Native corporation is cherry-picking lands in the Tongass National Forest.

Sealaska Corp. is entitled to 85,000 acres under the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

Fifty-eight House members signed the letter that says the bill would “severely threaten the economic and ecological well-being of the Tongass.”

Sealaska says the letter is “misleading” and “ill-informed.” It says the bill would maintain and create jobs, while preserving old-growth trees.