---
kind: "range"
citation: "43 U.S.C. §§ 971a–971e"
title: "43"
from: "971a"
to: "971e"
count: 5
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/43/971a..971e"
---

# §971a. Alaskan lands within highway, telephone, and pipeline withdrawals; disposal; amendment of land description of claim or entry on adjoining lands


Upon revocation of a withdrawal for highways, telephone lines, or pipelines, in Alaska, the lands involved shall be subject to disposal only under laws specified by the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of the Interior, subject to easements as established by the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7). Notwithstanding any statutory limitation on the area which may be included in an unpatented claim or entry, the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) may permit the amendment of the land description of a claim or entry on adjoining lands to include the restored lands.


# §971b. Sale of restored Alaskan lands; preference rights; consent of Federal agency


The [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) may sell such restored lands for not less than their appraised value, giving an appropriate preference right to the holders of adjoining claims or entries and to owners of adjoining private lands. If such lands are under the jurisdiction of a Federal department or agency other than the Department of the Interior, any sale thereof shall be made only with the consent of such department or agency.


# §971c. Utilization or occupancy of Alaskan easements; consent of agency


Lands in Alaska within an easement established under [sections 971a to 971e](/usc/43/971a..971e.md) of this title by the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of the Interior may not be utilized or occupied without the permission of the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7), or an officer or agency designated by him. If the lands crossed by an easement established under [sections 971a to 971e](/usc/43/971a..971e.md) of this title are under the jurisdiction of a Federal department or agency other than the Department of the Interior, or of a [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8), Territory, or other government subdivision or agency, such permission may be granted only with the consent of such department, agency, or other governmental unit.


# §971d. Effect on valid existing Alaskan rights


Nothing in [sections 971a to 971e](/usc/43/971a..971e.md) of this title shall affect adversely any valid existing rights.


# §971e. Definition of restored Alaskan lands


For the purposes of [sections 971a to 971e](/usc/43/971a..971e.md) of this title, the words “restored lands” include, without limiting the meaning thereof, those lands at Big Delta and Tok Junctions that are withdrawn by [public land](/usc/43/1748c.md?p=a-3) orders numbered 808 and 975 and that lie between the centerline of the Richardson and Glenn Highways and the land included within United States [surveys](/usc/43/31b.md?p=10) 2727, 2728, 2770, 2771, 2772, 2773, 2774, 2723, 2724, 2725, and 2726.