Alaska Lands Amendments Act

Alaska Lands Amendments Act - Title I: Findings and Purposes - Declares it the purpose of this Act to amend the provisions of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act so as: (1) to preserve the geological, scientific, wilderness, cultural, recreational, and wildlife values of remaining Federal lands in Alaska; and (2) to provide authorities and guidelines for the administration of the provisions of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. Title II - Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to increase the acreage of: (1) West Chichagof-Yakobi Wilderness; (2) Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness; (3) Russel Fjord Wilderness; (4) Renali Wilderness; (5) Gates of the Artic Wilderness; (6) Glacier Bay Wilderness; (7) Katmai Wilderness; (8) Artic Wildlife Refuge Wilderness; (9) Koyukak Wilderness; (10) Yukon Wilderness; (11) Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge; and (12) Artic National Wildlife Refuge. Decreases the acreage of: (1) Wrangell-Saint Elicis Wilderness; (2) Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park; and (3) Lake Clark National Preserve. Increases the acreage of Wrangell-Saint Elias National Preserve and Lake Clark National Preserve. Establishes: (1) Yukon Charley Wilderness; (2) Devilnaw Wilderness; (3) Copper River Wilderness; (4) Copper River National Wildlife Refuge; and (5) Tetlin Wilderness. Establishes the Teshekpuk National Wildlife Refuge and the Utukok National Wildlife Refuge with a program for the issuance of exploration permits and lease sales. Increases the acreage of Wild and Scenic River Corridors and designates portions of the Yukon (Ramparts section) as a scenic river area. Designates certain planning areas within the Tongass National Forest. Provides that no timber within designated planning areas be sold except pursuant to the Tongass land management plan. Provides that all National Forest System lands in specified planning areas be withdrawn from location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, subject to valid existing rights. Requires the Secretary of Agriculutre to report to Congress findings as to whether specified planning areas should be: (A) designated a wilderness; (B) continued in planning status; or (C) made available for multiple uses. Exempts specified planning areas from the second roadless area review and evaluation. Provides that funds necessary to maintain the timber supply from the Tongass National Forest shall be drawn from the total sums collected as receipts from oil, gas, timber and coal which are deposited in the Treasury and credited as miscellaneous receipts. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to designate alternative lands of equal or greater timber value other than within Admiralty Island and Misty Fjords National Monuments in the satisfaction of the rights of the Natives of Sitka. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to permit limited development within Misty Fjords National Monument to the extent U.S. Borax and Chemical is presently entitled. Provides that Monument McKinley shall retain its name. Removes Stiese National Conservation Area from coverage of the Act. Places certain restrictions on state selections and conveyances. Sets forth procedures for the conveyance of public lands to certain Village Corporations and Regional Corporations. Permits local residents and others aggrieved by a failure of the State or Federal government to provide for the priority for subsistence uses to file a civil action in the Federal Court for the District of Alaska. Provides that nothing in the Act shall preclude the renewal or continuation of valid leases or permits for cabins, homesites or similar structures. Extends the length of time required for the Secretary to complete certain studies and reports to the Congress. Provides that the executive may not withdraw more than 5,000 acres without the approval of the Congress by joint resolution within one year of notice of such withdrawal. Requires the Secretary to establish an oil and gas leasing program on public lands not included in the Federal North Slope Oil and Gas leasing program or the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska unless prohibited by applicable law. Permits the Secretary to refuse to renew a permit for an existing cabin if the Secretary determines that such renewal would not be in the public interest. Prohibits any fees from being charged for entrance or admission to any unit of the National Park System located in Alaska. Makes additional technical, conforming and perfecting amendments.

Written by analysts at the Congressional Research Service and published on Congress.gov, not by Civibrief. Summarized at the "Introduced in House" stage on October 2, 1980. It describes the bill, it is not the legal text.

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