Non-Commercial Public Access Land Use Permit Program
As part of ANCSA, The Eyak Corporation was entitled to select and be conveyed in fee 148,730 acres of land. The Eyak Corporation (Eyak) was established as a for-profit corporation to achieve financial benefits from the ownership of property Eyak was conveyed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), as amended. Eyak is willing to allow public access to its private property only in a manner within its sole discretion and control, and only pursuant to the following stated limitations.
Non-commercial access to The Eyak Corporation lands by non-shareholders
Any and all access to The Eyak Corporation property by individuals who are not shareholders of The Eyak Corporation will only be made available through this Non-Commercial Public Access Land Use Permit Program.
The Non-Commercial Public Access Permits are for special, short-term, temporary, or casual access uses of Eyak Property. These Permits may be granted, denied, terminated, or suspended at any time with or without notice in the sole discretion of Eyak. This permit program was established and is being administered to monitor users of Eyak property, prevent loss or damage to Eyak property, help control littering, avoid accident or injury, and encourage current and future legitimate uses.
All non-shareholders seeking to access Eyak property shall be required to have a valid Permit and must agree to fully indemnify Eyak against any and all liability, and otherwise fully comply with the requirements of the Permit, and all applicable laws and regulations. Eyak may require insurance based on the nature of the use anticipated. All individuals granted a permit that requires insurance shall provide to Eyak written proof satisfactory to Eyak in its sole discretion of comprehensive general liability and other applicable insurance in the amount required by each individual permit before the activity is allowed to begin.
Types of Permits
Consumptive Use Permit
Eyak lands are subject to closure for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing at any time with or without notice in the sole discretion of Eyak. Subject to any such closure, this permit allows non-shareholders to use Eyak property for the purpose of non-commercial activities associated with hunting, trapping, and sport fishing. This permit also allows for temporary camping, berry picking, motorized vehicle use on established roads and trails only, etc., consistent with the specific terms of the permit.
The primary policy of Eyak is that its lands be closed to hunting, trapping, and sport fishing by any non-shareholder. However, the purpose of the exception to this policy for non-shareholders is to allow use by persons to accommodate limited needs for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing on Eyak lands. This exception may be terminated at any time with or without notice in the sole discretion of Eyak.
Seasonal Consumptive Use Permits shall be valid for a term of one hunting, trapping, or sport fishing season, as set by Federal or State game laws, or a maximum of ninety (90) consecutive days, whichever period is shorter. Temporary camping shall not exceed seven consecutive days and is authorized within designated camping areas only.
Firewood Cutting Permit
This permit is intended primarily to allow non-shareholders to use Eyak property for the non-commercial purpose of cutting downed firewood for personal use. No uses other than cutting downed firewood is allowed pursuant to this permit unless specified in the permit. This permit does not authorize the cutting of live trees. Firewood cutting is only allowed in areas designated by Eyak. The sale or resale of wood taken under the terms of this permit is prohibited.
Land Entry Permit
This permit allows non-shareholders to use Eyak property for the purpose of non-commercial activities associated with berry picking and non-consumptive, non-motorized, non-destructive uses such as hiking, picnicking, temporary camping, etc. Each permit shall be valid for a term not to exceed (30) consecutive days.
Trespass
Management of public access, including the right to regulate such public access, is vested entirely in The Eyak Corporation's Board of Directors, including the right to close lands to public access, in Eyak's sole discretion at any time, with or without notice. Eyak retains the right to authorize access to Eyak property in any manner Eyak deems appropriate. Eyak may in its sole discretion with or without notice suspend or revoke any permit that it has issued pursuant to this policy.
Eyak does not allow acts of trespass on Eyak property. In its sole discretion, Eyak will pursue any and all remedies available to Eyak under applicable statutes and regulations to stop trespass and seek damages and its attorney's fees and costs, including, without limitation, compensation for damages to Eyak's property. Non-shareholders accessing Eyak property without a valid Permit will be considered in trespass. Issuance of a permit does not excuse prior trespassing or relieve the unauthorized parties from any fee due Eyak that would have been paid had a permit been granted. Settlement and collection of fees is necessary before any permit is finalized.
Maps and use designations for all ANCSA Section 17(b) easements are available through The Eyak Corporation. To obtain property access information, contact:
The Eyak Corporation
P.O. Box 340
Cordova, Alaska, 99574
(907) 424-7161
Fees-Permit Administration
For non-shareholders who maintain their primary personal residences in the City of Cordova, the administrative fee for Consumptive Use and Firewood Cutting Permits is a flat rate of $5/day, $15/week, or $100/season (plus city sales tax) per person or family. No administrative fee will be charged to Cordova residents for a Land Entry Permit. No administrative fee will be charged to Cordova residents 60 years of age and older.
For non-shareholders who do not maintain their primary personal residence in the City of Cordova, the administrative fee for the Consumptive Use and Firewood Cutting Permits is a flat rate of $250/day or $2,500/season (plus city sales tax) per person. For non-shareholders who do not maintain their primary personal residence in the City of Cordova, the administrative fee for the Land Entry Permit is a flat rate of $25/day (plus city sales tax).
All payments specified for permits issued under this policy are intended to partially reimburse Eyak for its administrative costs incurred in administering this public use policy, and do not constitute compensation to Eyak for the occupancy or use of Eyak lands.
Shareholders access and use of The Eyak Corporation lands
It is Eyak's intent to allow maximum use and access to Eyak property for its shareholders for non-commercial uses which pose no threat of injury or harm to persons or the lands, consistent with the economic and management goals of the Corporation, which are intended to benefit all shareholders. Eyak property is available to all shareholders for personal use hunting, fishing, and gathering (including firewood) under appropriate limitations as may be imposed by Eyak, or by applicable law and regulations. Permits are not required for Eyak shareholders, shareholders' immediate family members (spouse, children, and grandchildren), or guests of shareholders when accompanied by shareholders when such persons are engaged in non-commercial uses that comply with these policies; as long as shareholder activities do not infringe on the rights of other shareholders, are consistent with other authorized activities, and are allowed by state and federal regulations. Unaccompanied non-shareholders must obtain a Non-Commercial Public Access Permit. Shareholders are not authorized to grant permission to non-shareholders for unaccompanied access to The Eyak Corporation lands.
Easements reserved by the Federal Government for access across The Eyak Corporation lands ("17(B)" easements) Public easements have been created pursuant to Section 17(b) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, as amended, 43 U.S.C. S 7601 et. seq. (ANCSA), on and across Eyak property only to facilitate public access to publicly owned lands or major waterways, and for the other public uses identified within the easement reservations. Uses which are not specifically listed are prohibited and constitute trespass upon Eyak lands. Public easements do not authorize any other public use of, or access to, The Eyak Corporation property.
These "17(b)" easements have been reserved to provide public access across Eyak property to public lands. While no permit is necessary for use of these easements, the easements are specific as to the allowed activities, and area covered by the easement. These easements are not scenic easements or easements allowing recreation by the public on Eyak property. No right to hunt or fish on or from Eyak property is granted by "17(b)" easements. Specifically outfitting, guiding, and excursion services may not access or use Eyak property for picnicking, camping, sightseeing; or use Eyak property for human waste disposal. Eyak will aggressively pursue trespass action and seek damages from any person trespassing on Eyak lands or otherwise violating the terms of the easements, or these Policies.
If you are a Shareholder and you would like an access permit to reach some of the land mentioned above, please fill out this permit request form here.
