Congress has approved a Coast Guard bill that includes several land transfers Alaska’s congressional delegation has pursued for years.
One of them is at Point Spencer, to advance the possible construction of an Arctic deepwater port near Nome. Bering Straits Native Corporation hopes to develop the port, in partnership with the state of Alaska.
The bill cleared the U.S. House tonight. It also includes a land handover in Tok, to allow the Tanana Chiefs Conference to continue running a counseling center, and transfers federal property to village corporations in the Pribilofs.
The legislation continues the effort to acquire a new icebreaker. An amendment co-sponsored by Sen. Dan Sullivan authorizes another $14 million toward the billion-dollar project.
The bill now goes to the president for signature.
Liz Ruskin is the Washington, D.C., correspondent at Alaska Public Media. Reach her atlruskin@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Lizhere.
