116 STAT. 1488 PUBLIC LAW 107-239—OCT. 11, 2002 Oct. 11, 2002 Public Law 107-239 107th Congress An Act To ratify an agreement between The Aleut Corporation and the United States of America to exchange land rights received under the Alaska Native Claims [S. 1325] Settlement Act for certain land interests on Adak Island, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of Alaska. the United States of America in Congress assembled, 16 USC 668dd note. SECTION 1. FINDINGS. Congress finds that: (1) Adak Island is an isolated island located 1,200 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska, between the Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea. The Island, with its unique physical and biological features, including a deep water harbor and abundant marine-associated wildlife, was recognized early for both its natural and military values. In 1913, Adak Island was reserved and set aside as a Preserve because of its value to seabirds, marine mammals, and fisheries. Withdrawals of portions of Adak Island for various military purposes date back to 1901 and culminated in the 1959 withdrawal of approximately half of the Island for use by the Department of the Navy for military purposes. (2) By 1990, military development on Adak Island supported a community of 6,000 residents. Outside of the Adak Naval Complex, there was no independent community on Adak Island. (3) As a result of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (104 Stat. 1808), as amended, the Adak Naval Complex has been closed by the Department of Defense. (4) The Aleut Corporation is an Alaskan Native Regional Corporation incorporated in the State of Alaska pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), as amended (43 U.S.C. 1601, et seq.). The Aleut Corporation represents the indigenous people of the Aleutian Islands who prior to the Russian exploration and settlement of the Aleutian Islands were found throughout the Aleutian Islands which includes Adak Island. (5) None of Adak Island was available for selection by The Aleut Corporation under section 14(h)(8) of ANCSA (43 U.S.C. 1613(h)(8)) because it was part of a National Wildlife Refuge and because the portion comprising the Adak Naval Complex was withdrawn for use by the United States Navy for military purposes prior to the passage of ANCSA in December 1971. (6) The Aleut Corporation is attempting to establish a community on Adak and has offered to exchange ANCSA land
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