LAND MANAGEMENT SERVICES

1. Do I need to apply now?
2. What can I do now?
3. When did the legislation pass?
4. Who will be eligible to select an allotment of land?
5. Who will certify military service?
6. Who will certify that an individual is an Alaska Native, as defined in ANCSA?
7. If I am eligible, will I be notified? If I’m not notified, what do I need to do?
8. What land will be available for selection?
9. How large can the allotment be?
10. What will be the process for submitting a selection application?
11. Can selections be made in wildlife refuges?
12. Can I select lands a Native corporation or the State of Alaska already owns?
13. Will my allotment be subject to valid existing rights?
14. Is land that is valuable for minerals available for selection?
15. How do I get a copy of my (or my relative’s) DD-214 and other service-related paperwork?

Do I need to apply now?

No. Alaska Native Vietnam era veterans can not apply for their allotment until the rules are in effect.  Once BLM has worked through all of the processes, eligible Alaska Native veterans who served during Vietnam era will be notified to apply.

What can I do now?

If you believe that you are eligible under section 1119 of the Dingell Act, we encourage you to update your address with the BIA and VA.  You can also double check with each agency whether you are listed in their databases as meeting the definition for Alaska Native or Vietnam-era veteran respectively.

When did the legislation pass?

The legislation passed the House and Senate as section 1119 of S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act and was enacted March 12, 2019, as Public Law 116-9. Section 1119 was originally the Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Equity Act before being included into S. 47.

Who will be eligible to select an allotment of land?

Any Alaska Native who:

1. Served in the armed forces between August 5, 1964, and December 31, 1971; and
2. Has not already received an allotment of land.

A personal representative, acting on behalf of the heirs of a deceased Native veteran, may also apply for an allotment if:

1. The deceased veteran has not already received an allotment of land; and
2. The deceased veteran meets the military service requirement listed above.

Who will certify military service?

The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Who will certify that an individual is an Alaska Native, as defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA)?

The Bureau of Indian Affairs.

If I am eligible, will I be notified? If I’m not notified, what do I need to do?

If you are determined to be eligible by DoD, BIA, and BLM, you will be notified with a direct mailing in 2020.  BLM will update this website when that direct mailing has been issued. If you do not receive notification, it means that either that the contact information the government has for you is incorrect or you were not found to be eligible.

If you are not notified, a process will be in place for establishing that you have met the eligibility requirements:

1. Of being a veteran pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 101 who served in the Armed Forces between August 5, 1964 and December 31, 1971
2. Meet the definition of Native in 43 U.S.C. § 1602
3. You have not received an allotment pursuant to the Alaska Native Allotment Act (Act of May 17, 1906), Section 14(h)(5) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. § 1613(h)(5), or the 1998 Alaska Native Veteran Allotment Act (Section 41 of ANCSA; 43 U.S.C. § 1629g).

During this time, it is imperative that you ensure your contact information is kept current with BIA.

What land will be available for selection?

The Act makes all vacant (unappropriated), and unreserved BLM-managed public lands available. In general, reserved lands are those designated for a specific use like military bases, National Parks, or National Wildlife Refuge, or specific purposes like the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. BLM lands will include lands selected by the State or by Native corporations for conveyance and are available for selection by an eligible individual. The BLM will publish a map in March of 2020 with the lands that are available as of that date.

How large can the allotment be?

The allotment must be at least 2.5 acres in size, but no larger than 160 acres of land.

What will be the process for submitting a selection application?

The specific application process will be identified in the rules within 18 months of the date of the March 2019 enactment (September 2020). Once those regulations are published in the Federal Register and are in effect, eligible individuals will have five years to submit an application for an allotment of land.

To assist in determining what land is available, BLM will work with the State of Alaska and Alaska Native corporations to produce a map of land that is available for selection.

If an individual meets all eligibility requirements, and the land that is requested is available for selection, then a certificate with the patent for the land will be issued.

Can selections be made in wildlife refuges?

Currently, no lands within wildlife refuges will be available for selection. However, section 1119 of the Dingell Act also requires the Secretary to conduct a study of what lands can be made available for future selection within the National Wildlife Refuges within a year. The report will be sent to Congress. Only Congress can make refuge lands available for selection.

Can I select lands a Native corporation or the State of Alaska already owns? 

No. Section 1119 of the Act only makes BLM managed lands available and does not authorize title recovery.

Will my allotment be subject to valid existing rights?

Yes, any available Federal land conveyed under this Subtitle will be subject to valid existing rights.

Is land that is valuable for minerals available for selection? 

Yes, however any minerals not subject to valid existing rights will be reserved to the United States in your title document.

How do I get a copy of my (or my relative’s) DD-214 and other service-related paperwork?

1. Visit the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Office of Veterans Affairs (DMVA). They can help you navigate the VA and National Archives systems if they don’t have your DD-214 handy.
2. Visit the VA website. Note that you will need to sign up for milConnect, ID.me™, or already have a VA login through My HealtheVet (links for each service are provided on the VA website).
3. Mail a “request pertaining to military records” (SF-180) to the National Personnel Records Center:
   1 Archives Drive
   St. Louis, Missouri 63138

You can also visit the National Personnel Records Center in person.

1. Contact your local tribal veteran representatives local VA office, or national veteran service organizations. Similar to the DMVA, they can be very helpful in navigating the various systems to help you get your paperwork.