ABSTRACT
The surging development of Alaska’s oil and gas resources has huried us onto center stage, where the spotlight of national attention has served to shadow the continuing value of renewable and amenity resources. From the national standpoint, the federal activity may be justified as a reaction to threats of energy shortages imposed by foreign nations. Through profit-seeking corporations established by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971, the native people own over 40 million acres in fee simple, including subsurface mineral rights in many areas. By far the most important opportunity for government expression on management direction for Alaska’s public lands is the decision before Congress regarding the so-called “Lands of National Interest.” Through thoughtful designations and the creation of a system for cooperative land management and planning, Congress can assure that national-interest lands serve in equity those local, regional, national, and international publics who have a stake in the way Alaska’s land and water are used.
