Ahtna, Inc. has signed a historic agreement with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to manage public access easements, known as 17(b) easements, that provide public access across Ahtna’s privately owned lands to surrounding federal lands. Under this new agreement, Ahtna will take over the administration and upkeep of these easements from the BLM. This move is designed to improve the management of these access routes while protecting Ahtna lands and Ahtna’s rights as a private landowner.
What Are 17(b) Easements?
Under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), 17(b) easements were created to allow public access through lands conveyed to Alaska Native Corporations. The primary purpose of these easements is to maintain access to public lands and waters across private Native-owned land. These easements provide vital routes for activities like recreation, subsistence, and travel.
The federal lands adjacent to Ahtna’s lands, located in the southcentral interior of Alaska, are some of the most frequently used by the public due to their proximity to road systems. As a result, many of the 17(b) easements experience heavy use, leading to environmental damage, trespass, and conflicts between landowners and the public.
Ahtna’s Role in Protecting and Maintaining 17(b) Easements
With this new agreement, Ahtna will take direct responsibility for maintaining and improving these easements. This includes developing a comprehensive dataset to track their locations, improving public signage, and repairing damage caused by excessive or improper trail use. One of the key goals is to ensure that the public can continue to access public lands through these easements, while protecting the integrity of Ahtna’s lands.
By managing these routes, Ahtna will ensure that the easements remain functional and sustainable, preventing trail erosion and minimizing the impact on the surrounding environment. This management effort will also help reduce instances of trespass, where members of the public mistakenly or intentionally venture off the designated easements onto Ahtna’s private lands.
Benefits for Ahtna Shareholders and the Public
This initiative directly benefits both Ahtna shareholders and the broader public. For shareholders, managing the 17(b) easements is a way to protect their lands from damage and encroachment, safeguarding important cultural and natural resources. Ahtna has long been committed to preserving its land for future generations, and taking on the responsibility of managing these easements is a natural extension of that mission.
For the public, this agreement ensures continued access to popular recreational areas while providing clearer information about land ownership and designated routes. Ahtna’s management will result in better-maintained trails, improved signage, and a more organized system for accessing public lands. By keeping the public on designated easements, Ahtna also helps reduce conflicts and confusion over land ownership.
A Path Forward for Sustainable Access
Managing the 17(b) easements is part of Ahtna’s broader effort to promote sustainable land use and protect its natural and cultural resources. By taking a proactive approach to maintaining these easements, Ahtna ensures that the public can continue to enjoy the land without negatively impacting our shareholders or the environment.
This agreement represents a positive step forward in balancing the needs of landowners and the public, providing a model for other Alaska Native Corporations and public agencies to follow. Through this effort, Ahtna reinforces its role as a responsible land steward, dedicated to protecting its lands while supporting public access in a way that is respectful and sustainable.