H.R. 2815

119 HR 2815 EH: Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025
 U.S. House of Representatives
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 IB
 119th CONGRESS  1st Session
 H. R. 2815
 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 AN ACT
To provide equitable treatment for the people of the Village Corporation established for the Native Village of Saxman, Alaska, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025  .
2.
Definitions
In this Act:
(1)
Cape Fox
The term  Cape Fox  means the Cape Fox Village Corporation, a Village Corporation for the Native Village of Saxman, Alaska, organized pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. ).
(2)
Federal land
The term  Federal land  means the approximately 180 acres of surface land within the Tongass National Forest in the State of Alaska, as generally depicted on the Map.
(3)
Map
The term  Map  means the map entitled  Cape Fox Village Corporation Final Selection  and dated December 18, 2023.
(4)
Secretary
The term  Secretary  means the Secretary of the Interior.
3.
Waiver of core township requirement for certain land
(a)
In general
Notwithstanding section 16(b) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1615(b) ), Cape Fox shall not be required to select or receive conveyance of the approximately 185 acres of unconveyed land described in subsection (b) located within the township in which the Native Village of Saxman, Alaska, is located.
(b)
Land described
The land referred to in subsection (a) is as follows:
(1)
Approximately 40 acres in T. 74 S., R.90 E., sec. 10, SWNE, Copper River Meridian.
(2)
Approximately 144.57 acres in T. 75 S., R.91 E., sec. 1, lots 1, 3, and 4, Copper River Meridian.
4.
Selection outside exterior selection boundary
(a)
Selection and Conveyance of Surface Estate
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, if Cape Fox submits to the Secretary a written notice of selection of the Federal land, the Secretary shall, on receiving that written notice, convey the Federal land to Cape Fox.
(b)
Conveyance of Subsurface Estate
On conveyance to Cape Fox of the surface estate to the Federal land under subsection (a), the Secretary shall convey to Sealaska Corporation the subsurface estate to that Federal land.
(c)
Timing
It is the intent of Congress that the Secretary complete the conveyances to Cape Fox and Sealaska Corporation under subsections (a) and (b), respectively, as soon as practicable after the date on which the Secretary receives a written notice of the selection of Cape Fox under subsection (a), but not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary receives that written notice.
(d)
Entitlement fulfilled
The conveyance of Federal land to Cape Fox and the subsurface interest in the Federal land to Sealaska Corporation under subsections (a) and (b), respectively, shall be considered to fulfill the entitlement of—
(1)
Cape Fox under section 16 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1615 ); and
(2)
Sealaska Corporation to any subsurface interest in the Federal land under section 14(f) of that Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1613(f) ).
5.
Public access easement
The conveyance of the Federal land under section 4 shall be subject to the reservation of a public easement under section 17(b) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1616(b) ) to allow for access to National Forest System land further inland on Revillagigedo Island from the George Inlet.
6.
Valid existing rights
Unless otherwise agreed to by the Secretary, the Secretary of Agriculture, and Cape Fox, the conveyances under this legislation shall be subject to any valid existing rights, reservations, rights-of-way, and other encumbrances of third parties in, to, or on the Federal land as of the date of enactment of this Act.
    Passed the House of Representatives December 15, 2025.  Kevin F. McCumber,  Clerk.