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LEGAL NEWSLINE

Friday, March 29, 2024

Alaska targets Bureau of Land Management over ownership of land beneath Fortymile River

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ANCHORAGE — Alaska Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth has filed a lawsuit against the federal government over ownership of lands that lie beneath the state's Fortymile River.

According to the Attorney General's Office, the lawsuit filed against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) declares the state's ownership of land beneath the Middle Fork and North Fork section of the Fortymile River and comes on the heels of the state's previous successes in fighting the U.S. government's assertion over land ownership. 

“Unlike many other areas in the U.S., Alaska’s waterways are very much still used as highways,” Lindemuth said in a statement.  “It’s important that this access be maintained for the public and that the federal government recognize the state’s ownership.


"We are hopeful this case will not have to go to trial and can be resolved swiftly." 

“Mosquito Fork was a long fought battle that finally resulted in a win for the state when BLM suddenly disclaimed its interest in the river on the eve of trial,” added Alaska assistant attorney Jessie Alloway. “These cases take an enormous amount of research and evidence to prove navigability, and DNR (Department of Natural Resources) has done an excellent job of making the case for state ownership.”

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