Are you an Alaska Native Vietnam era veteran who served between Aug. 5, 1964 and Dec. 31, 1971 or a descendant of one?
The John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (Public Law 116-9) passed on March 12, 2019. This act provided for Alaska Native Vietnam era veterans who served between Aug 5, 1964 and Dec 31, 1971 to receive a land allotment.
Before applications can be accepted by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the new law requires that within 180 days of enactment, the Department of Defense, in coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs, prepare a list of potential applicants based on their service dates.
The Department of the Interior and the Department of Veterans Affairs will conduct outreach to the eligible individuals. Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans do not need to apply immediately for their allotment. Once BLM has worked through all of the processes, Alaska Native Veterans who served during Vietnam Era will be notified to apply.
In order to help the process proceed smoothly, please ensure your information is updated with the following agencies/organizations:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs
Enrollment Verification:
(907) 271-4506 - Veterans Affairs
www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits - Your local Tribal Organization
Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment FAQ
Do I need to apply now?
No. Alaska Native Vietnam Era veterans do not need to apply immediately for their allotment. Once BLM has worked through all of the processes, 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 the 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 and 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. It 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:
- Served in the armed forces between August 5, 1964 and December 31, 1971; and
- Has not already received an allotment of land.
- Doesn’t require previous use.
- A personal representative, acting on behalf of the heirs of a deceased Native veteran, may also apply for an allotment if:
- The deceased veteran has not already received an allotment of land; and
- The deceased veteran meets the military service requirement listed above.
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 their website when that direct mailing has been issued. If you do not receive notification, it means that either the contact information the government has for you is incorrect or you were not found to be eligible. If you were erroneously determined to not qualify, a process is being developed for establishing that you have met the eligibility requirements.
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. Appropriated lands would include lands selected by the State or by Native corporations for conveyance. Applicants do not have to be from the region they are applying for. For example, an ASRC shareholder could apply for land in the Ahtna region. The BLM will publish a map in March of 2020 with the lands that are available as of that date.
Additionally, lands selected by the state under the Alaska Statehood Act or a regional or village corporation under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, but not yet conveyed, can be made available by the state or the corporations for selection.
For more information, including more FAQs, please visit: www.blm.gov/ak-native-vietnam-vet-land-allotment-2019