A controversial land swap between an Alaska Native regional corporation and the federal government has been delayed until fall 2009.

Doyon Ltd., wants to give at least 150,000 acres of its land to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In exchange, the corporation would receive 110,000 acres and another 97,000 acres of subsurface rights.

All of the land is located within the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge. The Bush administration supports the deal but the final environmental impact statement won't be completed for another year.

Tribes in the area oppose the swap. According to The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, more than 80 percent of the more than 100,000 public received so far oppose the deal.

Get the Story:
Yukon Flats land swap on hold (The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 9/6)

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