H.R. 8674: Geese House Site Conveyance Act

This bill, titled the Geese House Site Conveyance Act, is aimed at transferring ownership of a specific piece of Federal land in Alaska to Doyon, Limited, which is a Native corporation. Here are the main points of what the bill proposes:

Land Conveyance

The bill mandates that the Secretary of the Interior must convey all rights, title, and interest in approximately 21,578 acres of Federal land in Denali National Park and Preserve to Doyon, Limited. This transfer must be completed within one year of the bill's enactment, barring any existing legal rights.

Description of the Land

The land set for transfer was selected by Doyon, Limited in 1978 and is identified by specific sections in the Fairbanks Meridian of Alaska. However, certain portions of the land are excluded from this conveyance, such as lots within specific sections and the land under certain lakes.

Easements

The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to reserve public easements, as mandated by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, ensuring that access rights are maintained even after the land is transferred.

Limitations on the Conveyed Land

Once the land is transferred to Doyon, Limited, it cannot:

• Be sold to any individual or entity other than the U.S. government.
• Be used for mining or any mineral exploration activities.
• Be developed in any way that would compromise its cultural significance associated with the Geese House.

Federal Land Treatment

The conveyed land will maintain its status as Federal land under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, despite the transfer of ownership to Doyon, Limited.

Boundary Adjustment

The Secretary of the Interior is also tasked with adjusting the boundaries of Denali National Park to exclude the conveyed land and, if possible, align the park boundaries with a proposed boundary as described in attached maps.

Miscellaneous Provisions

Key additional provisions include:

• The conveyance will not be subject to certain regulations normally required for Federal land transfers.
• The Secretary may correct minor errors in surveys or descriptions of the land with the approval of Doyon, Limited.

Relevant Companies

None found