Senate advances measure for possible port

The U.S. Senate has passed legislation aimed at assisting the development of a deepwater port on Alaska’s west coast for Arctic-bound vessels.

The Point Spencer Land Conveyance Act conveys 2,500 acres of federal land.

The state under the measure would receive about 110 acres of federal lands including shoreline and a right of way for a future road from the airstrip to the mainland.

The Coast Guard would retain 161 acres.

The Bering Strait Native Corp. would receive approximately 2,209 acres as part of its land entitlement under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said in an announcement Dec. 18 that the Senate by unanimous consent approved the measure in the Coast Guard Authorization Act.

Murkowski spokeswoman Jenna Mason says the House approved the measure Dec. 10.

- Associated Press