Arent Fox Featured in Alaska Native Village Corporation Association’s January Newsletter

As one of the ANVCA’s valued partners, they asked us if they could highlight the firm. Partner Jeffrey Makin works closely with ANVCA, representing them in connection with contaminated sites that were transferred to ANCs under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). Since 1971, approximately 44 million acres of land were conveyed to ANCs under ANCSA to settle aboriginal land claims in Alaska. Approximately 920 contaminated sites were conveyed. Of those 920 sites, 328 have allegedly been cleaned up, 338 allegedly require additional clean-up, 242 allegedly have sufficient land use controls to prevent human exposure, and 12 allegedly have no confirmed release of contaminants. Jeffrey is advising ANVCA with regard to legal options and strategies to (1) protect ANCs’ rights; (2) verify that sites have been cleaned up; and (3) compel clean-up of contaminated sites.