“We are deeply grateful to Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Dan Sullivan, and Representative Nick Begich for their unwavering leadership and advocacy on behalf of Chugach and our shareholders,” said Sheri Buretta, Chairman of the Chugach Board. “Their decision to reintroduce this legislation underscores the significance of this exchange resolving long-standing split-estate conflicts in the region — not only for our corporation, but for the broader public interest, the State of Alaska, and the federal government.”
The legislation seeks to fulfill the intent of the 2019 John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act by consolidating split estates and facilitating a mutually beneficial land exchange. If enacted, Chugach would receive approximately 65,000 acres of full-estate and surface lands that are culturally significant, economically viable, and accessible. In return, Chugach would transfer ownership of more than 230,000 acres of subsurface estates to the federal government to align surface and subsurface ownership and reduce management conflicts.
The split-estate issues targeted by this legislation are a direct result of the 1989 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill and the use of EVOS Trustee Council settlement funds to acquire surface lands where Chugach retained subsurface rights. While well-intentioned, these land purchases created decades-long barriers to land management and development for Native communities, undermining the promise of self-determination enshrined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA).
“ANCSA was designed to create a cooperative relationship between Village and Regional Corporations by granting surface rights to Villages and subsurface rights—the dominant estate—to Regional Corporations like Chugach,” Buretta explained. “The EVOS Trustee Council spent hundreds of millions acquiring surface lands from Village Corporations for conservation, while Chugach retained its subsurface rights. This created an unworkable dynamic—much like buying the front door to a home and then trying to decide how the homeowner uses the house. As such, Chugach still holds the legal authority to use the front door and access its subsurface estate, and this legislation would fix that and give ownership of the entire house to the government, and in exchange, Chugach would be given ownership to an adjacent home in the Chugach region.”
“This exchange is a matter of common sense, fairness and healing from this disaster,” Buretta continued. “It represents a necessary step toward correcting historic imbalances and ensuring that Chugach can wholly manage our lands for the long-term benefit of our shareholders and future generations.”
Each parcel identified for exchange has been carefully selected for its cultural, economic, or ecological value — from lands adjacent to Chugach’s Nuuciq Youth and Elder Spirit Camp to those with development potential. This balanced approach to land stewardship reflects Chugach’s commitment to both economic opportunity and cultural preservation.
As Congress considers this reintroduced legislation, Chugach remains optimistic and firm in its desire to see a fair and lasting resolution. This land exchange is not only a necessary administrative correction — it is a profound opportunity to advance the shared interests of Alaska Native communities, state and federal government, and the people of Alaska.
“Chugach stands ready to work in close partnership with Congress, federal agencies, and all stakeholders to help advance this process,” Chairman Buretta offered. “Our commitment to cooperation is rooted in a shared vision of responsible stewardship, economic opportunity, and enduring respect for our connection to these lands that have sustained our people for millennia.”
