[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 4, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E12-E13]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   INTRODUCING LEGISLATION CONCERNING KENAI NATIVES ASSOCIATION, INC.

                                 ______


                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 4, 1995
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing legislation today 
to correct a significant inequity in Federal law with respect to land 
uses of property conveyed to the Kenai Natives Association, Inc. [KNA]. 
The legislation, which will mark the final outcome of a process begun 
nearly 14 years ago and which was the subject of a congressional 
hearing last Congress and the enactment of one interim law, would 
correct the land entitlement inequities of KNA by authorizing and 
directing the completion of a land exchange and acquisition package. 
The legislation will allow KNA for the first time to make economic use 
of the majority of lands conveyed to the corporation under the Alaska 
Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971.
  We began the final stage in this process by directing, through 
enactment of Public Law 102-458, an expedited negotiation of a land 
acquisition package between the Fish and Wildlife Service and KNA. Over 
the past year, negotiations were completed, resulting in a package 
which is identical to the elements of the legislation I am introducing 
today.
  KNA has waited since 1982 to resolve its land selection problem with 
property which is within the boundaries of the Kenai National Wildlife 
Refuge. KNA has reached a tentative agreement with the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service with an exchange agreement on lands within the refuge. 
I believe that they have waited long enough for ratification of the 
agreement and believe they deserve to have this behind them. This 
legislation will authorize and direct the Secretary to make an offer to 
KNA to complete an exchange and acquisition of lands owned by KNA.
  This legislation represents an agreement reached during the 103d 
Congress. It is my intention to move this legislation quickly and get 
it behind us. I urge my colleagues support so that KNA can move forward 
with their agenda.
  I am pleased with the efforts by KNA, its former president, the late 
Katherine Boling, and board of directors as well as the Fish and 
Wildlife Service to finalize this acquisition. KNA and the Fish and 
Wildlife Service have set aside past differences and have resolved the 
land use disagreement which has prevented KNA from using most of its 
lands conveyed under ANCSA. At the same time, another purpose of Public 
Law 102-458 and, a Federal goal, was acquiring for public ownership 
land along the Kenai River. These missions would be accomplished by the 
legislation I am introducing today.
  The Service has completed all the necessary negotiations on land 
acquisitions and exchange components and completed the necessary public 
review and legal reviews required for exchanges in Alaska. I commend 
the Service for their efforts to acquire a key parcel of land
 along the Kenai River, inside the boundaries of the Kenai National 
Wildlife Refuge, for public use. This acquisition is the crucial 
component of this legislation. Just as crucial is the need to allow KNA 
to make economic use of lands conveyed to the corporation to settle 
native land claims. It is wrong under any sense of fairness or the law 
to convey lands to native corporations in settlement of recognized land 
claims yet at the same time prohibit the use of those lands.

  Mr. Speaker, we need innovative measures to resolve land use 
conflicts in Alaska. Secretary Babbitt has noted the need for 
innovative exchanges throughout the Nation to properly manage Federal 
lands. This legislation represents a fine example of an exchange which 
resolves a longstanding land dispute on a voluntary basis.
  I believe we can and should resolve this dispute on a voluntary 
basis. If we fail to do so, the result will only be ill-will, an 
extreme inequity to the Alaska Natives of KNA, litigation and the loss 
of an important opportunity to acquire public, riverfront lands, along 
the Kenai River. Further, there will remain a significant doubt that 
any land use conflict involving Federal lands in Alaska can be resolved 
in a cooperative fashion.
  Mr. Speaker, I have worked closely with the former chairman of the 
Natural Resources Committee, Mr. Miller, on this matter for many years. 
I believe we have an opportunity to correct an inequity, acquire 
valuable habitat, and show that innovative answers to land use problems 
will work in Alaska. I am anxious to move forward on this legislation 
which resolves this matter on a voluntary, willing seller 
[[Page E13]] basis early this year based on agreements reached during 
the last session between all interested parties.


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