Marine Access and State Transparency or the MAST Act This bill requires the President, before a national monument may be designated on public land, to obtain congressional approval and certify compliance with environmental review requirements. The bill bars the President from declaring any area of the exclusive economic zone to be a national monument unless such a declaration is specifically authorized by statute, the President has submitted a proposal to make the declaration to the governor of each state or territory located within 200 nautical miles of that area, each governor submits to the President a notice that the legislature of that state or territory has approved the proposal, and the declaration is substantially the same as the proposal. The bill prohibits the Department of the Interior or the Department of Commerce, with respect to any area of the exclusive economic zone that is designated as a national monument, from implementing any restrictions on the public use of such a national monument until the expiration of an appropriate review period providing for public input and congressional approval.
Polar Bear Conservation and Fairness Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to issue a permit for the importation of a polar bear part (other than an internal organ) from a bear taken in a sport hunt in Canada to any permit applicant who has submitted proof that the polar bear was (1) legally harvested by the applicant before the May 15, 2008, listing of the polar bear as threatened, and (2) harvested from an approved polar bear population. Interior must issue these permits without regard to limits on importing marine mammals with depleted populations.
Restoration of the U.S.-Russia Polar Bear Conservation Fund Act This bill allows the importation of polar bear parts taken legally in sport hunts in Canada.
Deepwater Port Parity Act This bill authorizes the Maritime Administration (MARAD) to allow the construction of a deepwater port in federal waters off the state to which the port is to be directly connected by pipeline if the state developed an approved coastal zone management program and withdrew the program prior to January 1, 2012. Currently, a deepwater port may only be licensed by MARAD if the state developed, or is making reasonable progress toward developing, such a program. Alaska is the only state that withdrew its program before 2012. A deepwater port is any man-made structure other than a vessel that is located beyond state seaward boundaries and that is used or intended for use as a port or terminal for the transportation, storage, or further handling of oil or natural gas.
Easy Access to Mail Act This bill establishes procedures for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) regarding the use of centralized delivery of the mail with respect to residential housing units. Specifically, the bill provides that, for any housing development with respect to which the primary mode of mail delivery is any such mode except for centralized delivery on the date of this bill's enactment, the USPS may not change such mode of delivery to centralized delivery; and prohibits the USPS from requiring centralized delivery with respect to any housing development constructed after this bill's enactment without prior approval from the local legislative body, or, in the absence of a local legislative body, the legislature of the state with jurisdiction over the affected property. If approval for centralized delivery is granted, at least 60 days before commencing such delivery the local postmaster shall provide (1) written notice to any other units of local government and any planning commissions located within the applicable county; and (2) a period of 60 days for public comment from residents, property owners, and home builders within such county regarding the use of centralized delivery at the applicable housing development. The Postal Regulatory Commission shall ensure that the USPS does not change any USPS policy in effect on the date of enactment that would result in a disproportionate negative affect on rural, lower income, elderly, disabled, or predominately minority communities.
Canyon Village Land Conveyance Act This bill requires the Department of the Interior to convey up to 6,400 acres of surface estate to Kian Tr'ee Corporation, an Alaska Native village corporation, for the village of Canyon Village. Further, Interior must convey equal acreage of subsurface estate to Doyon Limited, the Alaska Native regional corporation for Canyon Village.
This bill recognizes the Alaska Native group corporation of Alexander Creek as an Alaska Native village corporation eligible for certain land and benefits. Alexander Creek must file any amendments to its corporate charter that are necessary to convert from a Native group corporation to a Native village corporation. In addition, the bill requires the Department of the Interior to open negotiations with Alexander Creek to settle Alexander Creek's aboriginal land claims and any other claims it has against the United States. Finally, Alexander Creek must notify its members that (1) they will cease to receive benefits from Cook Inlet Region Incorporated (CIRI) individually as at-large shareholders, and (2) all future resource payments from CIRI will be made to the village corporation. CIRI is not liable under any state, federal, or local law for damages related to that payment cessation.
This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to convey specified property in Dillingham, Alaska, to the Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation for use in connection with health and social services programs. The conveyance shall not require any consideration from, or impose any obligation, term, or condition on, the corporation or allow for any U.S. reversionary interest in the property. The corporation shall not be liable for any environmental contamination that occurred before the conveyance.
Native American Millennium Challenge Demonstration Act This bill requires the Department of the Interior to establish the Native American Millennium Challenge Demonstration Project to provide economic development assistance to remote Native American communities. Specifically, an eligible entity (e.g., a consortium of Native organizations in a noncontiguous state) must enter into a five-year binding agreement (i.e., a compact) with the United States to receive assistance. Among other elements, the agreement must contain a description of the specific objectives related to sustainable economic development and poverty reduction that the entity expects to achieve. Further, assistance shall be provided in the form of funding agreements and may not be provided as loans. Additionally, funds may not be used for regulated gaming activities.
This bill prohibits the Department of Commerce from designating as a national marine sanctuary an area of the marine environment off the coast of Alaska seaward of the high tide line unless an act of Congress requires Commerce to make the designation and prescribes the boundaries of the designated area.
Explore America Act of 2021 This bill modifies and sets forth new provisions regarding the Preserve America Program and authorizes partnerships with gateway communities adjacent to units of the National Park System. The Department of the Interior shall offer to enter into partnerships with gateway communities, including Native American communities and National Heritage Areas, to leverage heritage tourism assets in order to strengthen the local economies and create jobs in those communities.
Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Commerce to conduct a biennial assessment and analysis regarding the contribution of the digital economy to the U.S. economy. In conducting this assessment, Commerce must consider the impact of (1) the deployment and adoption of digital-enabling infrastructure and broadband, (2) various kinds of e-commerce, and (3) the production and consumption of digital media.
