Alaska Native Corporations land development.

• Author: Evans, Eliza
• Position: ALASKA NATIVE CORPORATIONS

Several Alaska Native Regional Corporations have current land development projects that may benefit Alaskans within their regions and beyond. From low-cost energy demonstration projects to geothermal pilot programs, the benefits of some of these projects could be far reaching.

The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in Brief

In 1971, the US Congress passed the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which divided Alaska into twelve geographic regions. Twelve Alaska Native regional corporations were organized to own and manage each of the regions. A thirteenth regional corporation was developed for non-resident Alaska Natives.

According to the Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc., Alaska Native regional corporations hold title to 44 million acres statewide, making them the largest private landowners in Alaska. The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was developed in part so Alaska Natives could derive economic benefits from the resources of these lands, creating jobs and economic benefits for Alaska Native shareholders.

Current Alaska Native regional corporation land development projects reach across the state.

Bering Straits Native Corporation

Bering Straits Native Corporation is headquartered in Nome, the region's hub. Bering Straits has approximately 2.1 million acres of surface and subsurface estate of land that includes the coastal lands of eastern Norton Sound and the majority of the Seward Peninsula.

Matt Ganley, vice president of Resources and External Affairs for Bering Straits, says Bering Straits is currently working on mineral exploration, recreation use permits, and research programs related to Arctic climate change. One project, a geothermal pilot program at Pilgrim Hot Springs, could have especially exciting ramifications for the Bering Straits region of Alaska.

Just less than sixty miles northeast of Nome is Pilgrim Hot Springs. According to Alaska Center for Energy and Power, Pilgrim Hot Springs is the hottest resource in Alaska not directly related to a volcanic system. This means it has the potential to power a range of energy projects using geothermal energy. Geothermal energy--most simply the thermal energy generated and stored in the Earth--is a clean, reliable, and renewable resource. Through a partnership with the University of Alaska and a private energy producer, research is currently underway to determine if the flow of hot water from the springs is sufficient for enough power generation to economically...