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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Don Young, Ranking Member on the House Committee on Natural Resources, introduced H.R.6682, the Alaska Timber Areas for Education Land Selection Act, yesterday in the U.S. House of Representatives.  This bill will enable the State of Alaska, at its sole discretion, to fulfill part of its statehood land entitlement through selecting and acquiring full ownership of approximately 1.8 million acres in the Tongass National Forest. 

“In my mind, Alaska is morally entitled to select additional lands in the Tongass,” said Rep. Young.  “This bill creates the legal entitlement.  The reason for limiting the State’s entitlement to land in the Tongass was valid in 1958, but it is no longer valid today and in fact the limitation is actively harming the well-being of the many communities, the economies, and most of all the people who live in Southeast.  The State has a right to manage its own resources and not have those laws dictated by Outsiders and extreme environmental groups.”

Under this bill, the Commissioner of Natural Resources would manage the forest lands under State law, and the revenues from timber activities would be used to benefit education for children in kindergarten through the 12^th grade.  Unfortunately special interests like the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council have depressed the timber industry.  In turn, federal receipts from timber activities, which are used to help finance school activities, have been decimated. 

“The bill will restore an economy and a strong education system to benefit Southeast Alaska families for many generations,” continued Rep. Young.  “Drafting a bill is never an easy task, and I’d like to thank the Southeast Conference and the Alaska Forest Association for their work in preparing the legislation and associated maps.”

Existing valid rights, including land rights of Alaska Natives, would remain unaffected by this bill, although mining claimants would have an opportunity to file claims under the laws of the State.  Additionally, lands in Conservation System Units and LUD II designations would be off-limits.  The Alaska Timber Management Areas for Education Land Selection Act is estimated to generate between $15 million and $50 million per year for schools in Alaska.