Alaska's five key laws

Five key laws govern the ownership of Alaska's commons. Through this website, other publications (including a pending Primer on Alaska Common Lands and Resources Laws, and Casebook of key cases and federal and state statutes), and classes, the Institute intends to help students and practitioners managing Alaska's common property to better understand how that common property is governed.

This compilation is not intended to represent the entire body of legislation affecting Alaska's natural resources. It begins with the main federal acts which guided and molded the development of management regimes for development of minerals, oil and gas, land, fisheries, and other resources on public lands.

1.  Mineral Leasing Act (1920)

2.  Alaska Statehood Act (1959)

3.  Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA 1971)

4.  Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA 1980)

5.  Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation Act (1976)