BLM Takes Historic Action to Settle Alaska’s Land Pattern

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Today, BLM Deputy Director Bill Groffy broke some exciting news in his keynote address at the 2026 Alaska Miners Association Annual Convention. Groffy announced that BLM Alaska had taken historic action to reduce the State of Alaska’s overselections toward its statehood entitlement by more than 5 million acres. This decision opens more than 4 million additional acres to the Federal Subsistence Priority under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, addressing one of the most significant consequences of overselections. It also benefits Alaska’s mining sector by opening 4 million more acres to the potential staking of federal mining claims. This is a key step forward in the BLM’s continued partnership with the state and all Alaskans as the bureau works to fulfill statehood entitlements and settle Alaska’s land pattern. For more information about this historic action, read the news release: https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-takes-historic-action-settle-alaskas-land-pattern-all-alaskans 📷: BLM Deputy Director Bill Groffy at the Alaska Miners Association Annual Convention. BLM Photo.