The legislature passed the Wrangell land grant bill today. House Bill 273 completes the formation of the Wrangell and Haines boroughs. Alaska’s Constitution and state law stipulate the formation of boroughs for local governance. After a borough is organized, the state has a policy of aiding the newly formed borough with a land grant. Southeast Alaska presents a unique challenge to this policy because there is very little state land in the region. 98% of land within the Wrangell Borough is part of the Tongass National Forest. This left the community with one the smallest borough land grants on record. The bill corrects this shortfall and gives the boroughs an equitable land grant. I’m pleased the legislature enacted this bill and hope it will further community development in Southeast.
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