Senate passes Kake land exchange

JUNEAU (AP) -- The U.S. Senate has approved a land deal between the Kake Tribal Corporation and the Forest Service designed to protect the Southeast Alaska town's watershed.

The measure requires the corporation to give up about 2,400 acres in the Gunnuk Creek watershed, the main water supply for the city.

In return, the corporation will get 1,389 acres of Forest Service timber land and $10 million.

Sen. Frank Murkowski proposed the bill. The Republican contends land grants made under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act were intended to produce income for Native shareholders.

The bill's already been approved by the House and now goes to President Clinton for signature.