USC Subchapter II

USC Subchapter II
in effect

50 U.S.C. § 4231 Short title

This subchapter may be cited as the “Aleutian and Pribilof Islands Restitution Act”.

50 U.S.C. § 4232 Definitions

As used in this subchapter— (1) the term “Administrator” means the person appointed by the Secretary under section 4234 of this title; (2) the term “affected Aleut villages” means the surviving Aleut villages of Akutan, Atka, Nikolski, Saint George, Saint Paul, and Unalaska, and the Aleut village of Attu, Alaska; (3) the term “Association” means the Aleutian/Pribilof Islands Association, Inc., a nonprofit regional corporation established for the benefit of the Aleut people and organized under the laws of the State of Alaska; (4) the term “Corporation” means the Aleut Corporation, a for-profit regional corporation for the Aleut region organized under the laws of the State of Alaska and established under section 1606 of title 43; (5) the term “eligible Aleut” means any Aleut living on August 10, 1988—(A) who, as a civilian, was relocated by authority of the United States from his or her home village on the Pribilof Islands or the Aleutian Islands west of Unimak Island to an internment camp, or other temporary facility or location, during World War II; or (B) who was born while his or her natural mother was subject to such relocation; (6) the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior; (7) the term “Fund” means the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands Restitution Fund established in section 4233 of this title; and (8) the term “World War II” means the period beginning on December 7, 1941, and ending on September 2, 1945.

50 U.S.C. § 4233 Aleutian and Pribilof Islands Restitution Fund

(a) EstablishmentThere is established in the Treasury of the United States the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands Restitution Fund, which shall be administered by the Secretary. The Fund shall consist of amounts appropriated to it pursuant to this subchapter. (b) ReportThe Secretary shall report to the Congress, not later than 60 days after the end of each fiscal year, on the financial condition of the Fund, and the results of operations of the Fund, during the preceding fiscal year and on the expected financial condition and operations of the Fund during the current fiscal year. (c) InvestmentAmounts in the Fund shall be invested in accordance with section 9702 of title 31. (d) TerminationThe Secretary shall terminate the Fund 3 years after August 10, 1988, or 1 year following disbursement of all payments from the Fund, as authorized by this subchapter, whichever occurs later. On the date the Fund is terminated, all investments of amounts in the Fund shall be liquidated by the Secretary and receipts thereof deposited in the Fund and all funds remaining in the Fund shall be deposited in the miscellaneous receipts account in the Treasury.

50 U.S.C. § 4234 Appointment of Administrator

As soon as practicable after August 10, 1988, the Secretary shall offer to undertake negotiations with the Association, leading to the execution of an agreement with the Association to serve as Administrator under this subchapter. The Secretary may appoint the Association as Administrator if such agreement is reached within 90 days after August 10, 1988. If no such agreement is reached within such period, the Secretary shall appoint another person as Administrator under this subchapter, after consultation with leaders of affected Aleut villages and the Corporation.

50 U.S.C. § 4235 Compensation for community losses

(a) In generalSubject to the availability of funds appropriated to the Fund, the Secretary shall make payments from the Fund, in accordance with this section, as restitution for certain Aleut losses sustained in World War II. (b) Trust(1) EstablishmentThe Secretary shall, subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this purpose, establish a trust for the purposes set forth in this section. Such trust shall be established pursuant to the laws of the State of Alaska, and shall be maintained and operated by not more than seven trustees, as designated by the Secretary. Each affected Aleut village may submit to the Administrator a list of three prospective trustees. The Secretary, after consultation with the Administrator, affected Aleut villages, and the Corporation, shall designate not more than seven trustees from such lists as submitted. (2) Administration of trustThe trust established under this subsection shall be administered in a manner that is consistent with the laws of the State of Alaska, and as prescribed by the Secretary, after consultation with representatives of eligible Aleuts, the residents of affected Aleut villages, and the Administrator. (c) 11 So in original. Two subsecs. (c) have been enacted. Accounts for benefit of Aleuts(1) In generalThe Secretary shall deposit in the trust such sums as may be appropriated for the purposes set forth in this subsection. The trustees shall maintain and operate 8 independent and separate accounts in the trust for purposes of this subsection, as follows:(A) One account for the independent benefit of the wartime Aleut residents of Attu and their descendants. (B) Six accounts for the benefit of the 6 surviving affected Aleut villages, one each for the independent benefit of Akutan, Atka, Nikolski, Saint George, Saint Paul, and Unalaska, respectively. (C) One account for the independent benefit of those Aleuts who, as determined by the Secretary, upon the advice of the trustees, are deserving but will not benefit directly from the accounts established under subparagraphs (A) and (B). The trustees shall credit to the account described in subparagraph (C) an amount equal to 5 percent of the principal amount deposited by the Secretary in the trust under this subsection. Of the remaining principal amount, an amount shall be credited to each account described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) which bears the same proportion to such remaining principal amount as the Aleut civilian population, as of June 1, 1942, of the village with respect to which such account is established bears to the total civilian Aleut population on such date of all affected Aleut villages. (2) Uses of accountsThe trustees may use the principal, accrued interest, and other earnings of the accounts maintained under paragraph (1) for—(A) the benefit of elderly, disabled, or seriously ill persons on the basis of special need; (B) the benefit of students in need of scholarship assistance; (C) the preservation of Aleut cultural heritage and historical records; (D) the improvement of community centers in affected Aleut villages; and (E) other purposes to improve the condition of Aleut life, as determined by the trustees. (3) Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 to the Fund to carry out this subsection. (d) Compensation for damaged or destroyed church property(1) Inventory and assessment of propertyThe Administrator shall make an inventory and assessment of real and personal church property of affected Aleut villages which was damaged or destroyed during World War II. In making such inventory and assessment, the Administrator shall consult with the trustees of the trust established under subsection (b), residents of affected Aleut villages, affected church members and leaders, and the clergy of the churches involved. Within 1 year after August 10, 1988, the Administrator shall submit such inventory and assessment, together with an estimate of the present replacement value of lost or destroyed furnishings and artifacts, to the Secretary. (2) Review by the Secretary; deposit in the trustThe Secretary shall review the inventory and assessment provided under paragraph (1), and shall deposit in the trust established under subsection (b) an amount reasonably calculated by the Secretary to compensate affected Aleut villages for church property lost, damaged, or destroyed during World War II. (3) Distribution of compensationThe trustees shall distribute the amount deposited in the trust under paragraph (2) for the benefit of the churches referred to in this subsection. (4) Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to the Fund $4,700,000 to carry out this subsection. (c) 1 Administrative and legal expenses(1) Reimbursement for expensesThe Secretary shall reimburse the Administrator, not less often than annually, for reasonable and necessary administrative and legal expenses in carrying out the Administrator’s responsibilities under this subchapter. (2) Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to the Fund such sums as are necessary to carry out this subsection.

50 U.S.C. § 4236 Individual compensation of eligible Aleuts

(a) Payments to eligible AleutsIn addition to payments made under section 4235 of this title, the Secretary shall, in accordance with this section, make per capita payments out of the Fund to eligible Aleuts. The Secretary shall pay, subject to the availability of funds appropriated to the Fund for such payments, to each eligible Aleut the sum of $12,000. (b) Assistance of Attorney GeneralThe Secretary may request the Attorney General to provide reasonable assistance in locating eligible Aleuts residing outside the affected Aleut villages, and upon such request, the Attorney General shall provide such assistance. In so doing, the Attorney General may use available facilities and resources of the International Committee of the Red Cross and other organizations. (c) Assistance of AdministratorThe Secretary may request the assistance of the Administrator in identifying and locating eligible Aleuts for purposes of this section. (d) Clarification of treatment of payments under other lawsAmounts paid to an eligible Aleut under this section—(1) shall be treated for purposes of the internal revenue laws of the United States as damages for human suffering, and (2) shall not be included as income or resources for purposes of determining eligibility to receive benefits described in section 3803(c)(2)(C) of title 31 or the amount of such benefits. (e) Payment in full settlement of claims against United StatesThe payment to an eligible Aleut under this section shall be in full satisfaction of all claims against the United States arising out of the relocation described in section 4232(5) of this title. (f) Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to the Fund such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.

50 U.S.C. § 4237 Attu Island restitution program

(a) Purpose of sectionIn accordance with section 1132(c) of title 16, the public lands on Attu Island, Alaska, within the National Wildlife Refuge System have been designated as wilderness by section 702(1) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (94 Stat. 2417; 16 U.S.C. 1132 note). In order to make restitution for the loss of traditional Aleut lands and village properties on Attu Island, while preserving the present designation of Attu Island lands as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, compensation to the Aleut people, in lieu of the conveyance of Attu Island, shall be provided in accordance with this section. (b) Acreage determinationNot later than 90 days after August 10, 1988, the Secretary shall, in accordance with this subsection, determine the total acreage of land on Attu Island, Alaska, that, at the beginning of World War II, was subject to traditional use by the Aleut villagers of that island for subsistence and other purposes. In making such acreage determination, the Secretary shall establish a base acreage of not less than 35,000 acres within that part of eastern Attu Island traditionally used by the Aleut people, and shall, from the best available information, including information that may be submitted by representatives of the Aleut people, identify any such additional acreage on Attu Island that was subject to such use. The combination of such base acreage and such additional acreage shall constitute the acreage determination upon which payment to the Corporation under this section is based. The Secretary shall promptly notify the Corporation of the results of the acreage determination made under this subsection. (c) Valuation(1) Determination of valueNot later than 120 days after August 10, 1988, the Secretary shall determine the value of the Attu Island acreage determined under subsection (b), except that—(A) such acreage may not be valued at less than $350 per acre nor more than $500 per acre; and (B) the total valuation of all such acreage may not exceed $15,000,000. (2) Factors in making determinationIn determining the value of the acreage under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall take into consideration such factors as the Secretary considers appropriate, including—(A) fair market value; (B) environmental and public interest value; and (C) established precedents for valuation of comparable wilderness lands in the State of Alaska. (3) Notification of determination; appealThe Secretary shall promptly notify the Corporation of the determination of value made under this subsection, and such determination shall constitute the final determination of value unless the Corporation, within 30 days after the determination is made, appeals the determination to the Secretary. If such appeal is made, the Secretary shall, within 30 days after the appeal is made, review the determination in light of the appeal, and issue a final determination of the value of that acreage determined to be subject to traditional use under subsection (b). (d) In lieu compensation payment(1) PaymentThe Secretary shall pay, subject to the availability of funds appropriated for such purpose, to the Corporation, as compensation for the Aleuts’ loss of lands on Attu Island, the full amount of the value of the acreage determined under subsection (c), less the value (as determined under subsection (c)) of any land conveyed under subsection (e). (2) Payment in full settlement of claims against the United StatesThe payment made under paragraph (1) shall be in full satisfaction of any claim against the United States for the loss of traditional Aleut lands and village properties on Attu Island. (e) Village site conveyanceThe Secretary may convey to the Corporation all right, title, and interest of the United States to the surface estate of the traditional Aleut village site on Attu Island, Alaska (consisting of approximately 10 acres) and to the surface estate of a parcel of land consisting of all land outside such village that is within 660 feet of any point on the boundary of such village. The conveyance may be made under the authority contained in section 1613(h)(1) of title 43, except that after August 10, 1988, no site on Attu Island, Alaska, other than such traditional Aleut village site and such parcel of land, may be conveyed to the Corporation under such section 1613(h)(1). (f) Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated $15,000,000 to the Secretary to carry out this section.

50 U.S.C. § 4238 Compliance with Budget Act

No authority under this subchapter to enter into contracts or to make payments shall be effective in any fiscal year except to such extent and in such amounts as are provided in advance in appropriations Acts. In any fiscal year, the Secretary, with respect to— (1) the Fund established under section 4233 of this title, (2) the trust established under section 4235(b) of this title, and (3) the provisions of sections 4236 and 4237 of this title, shall limit the total benefits conferred to an amount not in excess of the appropriations for such fiscal year. Any provision of this subchapter which, directly or indirectly, authorizes the enactment of new budget authority shall be effective only for fiscal year 1989 and thereafter.

50 U.S.C. § 4239 Severability

If any provision of this subchapter, or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of this subchapter and the application of such provision to other persons not similarly situated or to other circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidation.

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