The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing this Wednesday on five bills, including S.730, the Southeast Alaska Native Land Entitlement Finalization and Jobs Protection Act.

Sealaska, an Alaska Native regional corporation, is entitled to land under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. The corporation hasn't been able to complete its selection due to land restrictions and other concerns.

S.730 finalizes Sealaska's land selection. A similar version of the bill generated controversy during the 111th Congress.

The House Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs will a hearing on H.R.1408, the House version of the bill, next Thursday.

The witness list for the Senate hearing follows:

Panel 1
The Honorable Max Baucus, Senator, United States Senate
The Honorable Jon Tester, Senator, United States Senate
The Honorable Mark Begich, Senator, United States Senate

Panel 2
The Honorable Harris Sherman, Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, Department of Agriculture
Marcilynn A. Burke, Deputy Director , Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior

Panel 3
Mr. Byron Mallott, Director, Sealaska Corporation
Ms. Myla Poelstra, Edna Bay, Alaska
Mr. Sherman Anderson, President and Owner, Sun Mountain Lumber, Inc.
Mr. Wally Congdon, District 3 Director, Montana Cattlemen's Association

Get the Story:
Sealaska land deal hearing in Congress this week (The Anchorage Daily News 5/23)

Committee Notice:
PUBLIC LANDS AND FORESTS HEARING ANNOUNCEMENT: to receive testimony on the following bills: S. 233, S. 268 S. 375, S. 714, and S. 730 (May 25, 2011)

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