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| Land Ownership in Alaska Federal Land The federal government is still the largest landowner in Alaska with 60% of the total area (222 million acres). This acreage includes national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests, military reservations and the North Slope National Petroleum Reserve. More than a dozen federal agencies manage federal lands in Alaska. The majority of federally owned lands have been set aside for public use (approximately 80 million acres). Native Lands Native lands are private lands. The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, passed by Congress in 1971, mandated the creation of regional and village Native corporations for the disbursement of the 44 million acres and payment of one billion dollars mandated to Native ownership. Thirteen regional corporations were created for the distribution of ANSCA land and money. Twelve of those shared in selection of 16 million acres, the thirteenth corporation, based in Seattle, received a cash settlement only. 224 village corporations, of 25 or more residents, shared 26 million acres. The remaining acres, which include historical sites and existing native-owned lands, went into a land pool to provide land to small villages of less than 25 people. State Land To date, the state has received patent to approximately 85% (90 million acres) of its total land selections. The state was permitted to select lands, from any federal land not already reserved for other uses, to provide: 1. Land and resources to support the state's economy for road construction, economic development, and building houses, schools, and other public and private facilities. 2. A reduction in federal control over state internal affairs by giving the state ownership and jurisdiction over its own land. The state chose land to meet three specific needs - settlement, resources and recreation. Settlement The State of Alaska selected land to encourage development and settlement. Land for public facilities, road construction and other public needs were included. Once owned, the state transfers large tracts of land to local governments, and leases and disposes of land to the private sector. There are approximately 580,000 acres currently in the state's land disposal bank for eventual lease or sale. Other Private Land Land in private ownership (other than Native land) comprises less than one percent of the total land in Alaska. Much of the best land for development around Alaska's communities is, or will be, privately owned. Private land development meets people's needs by providing places to live, work, shop and recreate. It also provides a tax base for cities and communities to help support public services. Download the PDF (landown.pdf, 805 Kb)
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Map by Jason Geck.