ANCSA retroactively extinguished aboriginal land title when there had been a conveyance prior to ANCSA. So, prior aboriginal ownership of land did not prevent the State of Alaska from acquiring a right of way under R.S. 2477 over �public land.� R.S. 2477 right of aways are limited to �highway purposes,� which is broader than mere ingress and egress but does require a connection to facilitating highway transportation.
Appeal from the Superior Court of the State of Alaska, Third Judicial District, Anchorage, Andrew Guidi, Judge.
Appearances: Matthew Singer and Peter A. Scully, Holland & Knight LLP, Anchorage, for Appellant/Cross-Appellee. Jessica M. Alloway, and Max D. Garner, Assistant Attorneys General, Anchorage, and Kevin G. Clarkson, Attorney General, Juneau for Appellees/Cross-Appellants.
Before: Bolger, Chief Justice, Winfree, Maassen, and Carney, Justices. [Borghesan, Justice, not participating.]
Adds precedent that influences how ANCSA corporations, regulators, and shareholders interpret governance rights and remedies.