In 2019, Congress passed the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (Dingell Act). The Dingell Act provided Alaska Native Vietnam era veterans the ability to select and receive allotments on vacant and unappropriated federal land. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administers the program.
The BLM started accepting applications on December 28, 2020. BLM will accept applications until December 29, 2025. BLM mailed letters to 1,975 eligible Alaska Native veterans, or their heirs, between July and September 2020 notifying them of eligibility. More than 700 potentially eligible veterans/heirs cannot be located due to outdated contact information with the BIA.
The program provides the opportunity for eligible Alaska Native Vietnam-era veterans who served between August 5, 1964, and December 31, 1971, or their heirs to select 2.5 to 160 acres of Federal land in Alaska. It also removes the requirement for personal use or occupancy mandated under previous laws. Those receiving allotments under previous programs are ineligible.
Lands for selection were generally limited until September 14, 2022, when the BLM’s Public Land Order 7912 went into effect opening approximately 27 million acres of federal land for selection. If you have any questions regarding available lands, please contact the Native Allotment Adjudication Section at 907-271-5998 or cgrimes@blm.gov. Additionally, the Tanana Chiefs Conference Realty Department can also answer questions and provide additional information at 907-452-8251.
Doyon’s role in the Veteran Allotment Program is very limited. Doyon does not have the ability to provide ANCSA lands as possible selections for Alaska Native veterans. Doyon can help Doyon-Region veterans understand the program and provide contacts with BLM and other agencies that can help.
September 14, 2022 Program Update
Public Land Order 7912 is now in effect, opening approximately 27 million acres of land for selection under the Alaska Native Veteran Land Allotment Program.
If you have any questions regarding available lands, please contact the Native Allotment Adjudication Section at 907-271-5998 or cgrimes@blm.gov.
