Geese House Site Conveyance Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4399
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Native Americans
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-27: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-11T20:26:31Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Geese House Site Conveyance Act (S. 4399) authorizes the conveyance of approximately 21,578 acres of federal land within Denali National Park and Preserve to Doyon, Limited, an Alaska Native Regional Corporation, to fulfill long-standing land entitlements under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971. The land, known as the "Geese House Site," holds cultural significance and was selected by Doyon in 1978.
Key Provisions
- Conveyance Requirement: The Secretary of the Interior must transfer all federal right, title, and interest in the specified land to Doyon, Limited as soon as practicable, but no later than 1 year after enactment, subject to valid existing rights (e.g., pre-existing claims or uses).
- Land Description:
- Covers sections 1–36, T. 11 S.R. 20 W., Fairbanks Meridian, Alaska (about 21,578 acres), as depicted on a specific map dated April 14, 2026.
- Excludes lots 1 and 2 in sections 31 and 32, plus land under Chilchukabena Lake and an unnamed lake.
- Public Easements: Reserves easements for public access as required by ANCSA Section 17(b).
- Use Restrictions on Doyon, Limited:
- Cannot sell or transfer the land except back to the U.S.
- No mining or mineral activities allowed.
- No development that harms the cultural value of the Geese House site.
- Treatment and Boundary Adjustment:
- Land is treated as conveyed under ANCSA Section 14(h)(8) (for cultural sites).
- Denali National Park and Preserve boundary adjusted to exclude the conveyed land, aligning with a proposed boundary on the map.
- Exemptions and Flexibility:
- Bypasses certain federal regulations (43 CFR Part 2650) and any existing land withdrawals.
- Allows minor survey corrections with Doyon's approval.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Accelerates conveyance of ANCSA-selected land pending since 1978, overriding regulatory hurdles and withdrawals.
- Removes the land from national park status via boundary adjustment, a departure from standard park protections.
- Imposes unique restrictions tailored to cultural preservation, beyond typical ANCSA conveyances.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: U.S. Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service) loses control over the land, simplifies ANCSA compliance, but requires boundary updates and easement management.
- Citizens and Public: Maintains public access via reserved easements; reduces national park acreage slightly, potentially affecting recreation or wildlife viewing.
- Alaska Natives: Enables Doyon, Limited to manage a culturally significant site, supporting heritage preservation without commercial exploitation.
- No direct international relations impacts.
Main Stakeholders
- Doyon, Limited: Primary beneficiary, gains title with cultural management rights.
- U.S. Department of the Interior / National Park Service: Responsible for execution; affected by land loss and boundary changes.
- Alaska Natives: Broader community benefits from ANCSA fulfillment and cultural protection.
- General Public: Retains access rights; minor impact on park visitors.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces ANCSA's framework for settling Native land claims, treating the site as a protected cultural area under Section 14(h)(8); exemptions streamline process but preserve public interests via easements and restrictions.
- Constitutional: Aligns with property clause authority (U.S. Constitution Art. IV, §3) for Congress to dispose of federal lands.
- Political: Sponsored by Alaska Senators Murkowski and Sullivan; advances Native corporation interests in a park setting, balancing conservation with indigenous rights—potentially sets precedent for similar ANCSA conveyances in protected areas.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-27: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2026-04-27: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Geese House Site Conveyance Act — issued 2026-04-27 — PDF (4 pages)