Opportunity Information: Apply for L17AS00012
The grant opportunity titled "BLM-Alaska, State of Alaska Review of Title Recovery Native Allotments" (Funding Opportunity Number L17AS00012) is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) cooperative agreement intended to support a very specific land title cleanup effort in Alaska. The core issue is that some parcels previously conveyed from the federal government to the State of Alaska may still be subject to valid federal Native allotment applications. When that happens, BLM and the State must work through a formal "title recovery" process to determine whether, and under what conditions, the State should return title back to the United States so the federal government can properly resolve the Native allotment claim. In practical terms, the opportunity exists to fund the State's work to evaluate these parcels and move stalled cases toward resolution.
The work described is not a simple records check. It requires due diligence steps that typically include researching land status and conveyance history, evaluating the validity and overlap of allotment applications, preparing and issuing public notice, and completing a formal "best interest finding" that determines whether returning the land to federal ownership is in the State's best interest. That best interest determination matters because these parcels are State lands at the time of review, and the State has obligations to manage lands for the benefit of Alaskans. The opportunity emphasizes that the State has a fiduciary responsibility to ensure "color of title" is clear, meaning the chain of ownership and legal rights attached to the land are not clouded by unresolved claims or conflicting conveyance histories.
A key justification for this funding is that the title recovery process creates a substantial cost burden for the State that stems from historical conveyance errors made by federal agencies. Even though the underlying problem originated from past federal actions, the State must still spend time and resources to participate in the legally required review and decision-making process. The notice-and-finding requirements, along with the technical nature of land status work, make this a resource-intensive effort. The announcement also notes that Alaska's budget constraints have pushed this work down the priority list, which has led to a significant slowdown in how quickly these cases are being resolved. This cooperative agreement is framed as "mission critical" because it directly supports conveyance and title resolution work that otherwise risks continuing to lag.
Eligibility is narrow and intentional: the only eligible applicant is a State government, and the announcement explicitly states that the State of Alaska is the only entity that can carry out the review. The reasoning is straightforward: the parcels are on State land, only the State can authoritatively decide whether returning title is in its best interest, and the State has the local expertise to weigh land management impacts, existing and future uses, and other State-specific considerations. In other words, BLM cannot substitute another party for this role because the decision is tied to State ownership and responsibilities.
Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, under CFDA 15.224 (Natural Resources). The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates that BLM expects to have substantial involvement in coordinating or overseeing the work rather than simply issuing a pass-through grant with minimal federal participation. The opportunity anticipated a single award (Expected Awards: 1) with an award ceiling of $500,000. The opportunity was created on January 19, 2017, with an original closing date of February 21, 2017, signaling it was designed as a time-bound solicitation to address a defined workload and help restore momentum on pending title recovery and Native allotment-related conveyance issues.
Overall, the grant is aimed at accelerating the resolution of land title conflicts involving Native allotment applications on lands already conveyed to the State. By funding the State's required review, public notice, and best interest determinations, BLM seeks to reduce the backlog created by limited State resources, clear title uncertainties, and ultimately enable lawful, orderly correction of past conveyance errors so that affected parcels can be properly administered and rightful claims can be addressed.Apply for L17AS00012
- The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BLM-Alaska, State of Alaska Review of Title Recovery Native Allotments" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.224.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 19, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 21, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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FAQs: BLM-Alaska, State of Alaska Review of Title Recovery Native Allotments (L17AS00012)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "BLM-Alaska, State of Alaska Review of Title Recovery Native Allotments."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is L17AS00012.
Who is offering this funding?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
What type of funding instrument is it?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which indicates BLM expects substantial involvement in coordinating and/or overseeing the work rather than simply issuing funds with minimal federal participation.
What program or CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.224 (Natural Resources).
What problem is this grant intended to address?
The grant supports a land title cleanup effort in Alaska where some parcels previously conveyed from the federal government to the State of Alaska may still be subject to valid federal Native allotment applications. These situations can create conflicting claims and clouded title that must be resolved through a formal process.
What is meant by "title recovery" in this context?
"Title recovery" refers to the formal process used when land that has already been conveyed to the State may need to be returned (in title) to the United States so the federal government can properly resolve a Native allotment claim. The process includes review, notice, and a State decision about whether returning the land is in the State's best interest.
Why would the State of Alaska need to return land to the United States?
If a parcel conveyed to the State overlaps with a valid federal Native allotment application, the State and BLM may need to work through a title recovery process. Returning title to the United States can be necessary so the federal government can address the Native allotment claim in a lawful and orderly way.
What work does the grant fund the State to do?
The funding supports the State's work to evaluate affected parcels and move stalled cases toward resolution. Due diligence steps may include researching land status and conveyance history, evaluating the validity and overlap of allotment applications, preparing and issuing public notice, and completing a formal best interest finding on whether returning title to federal ownership is in the State's best interest.
Is this just a records check or simple file review?
No. The announcement emphasizes that the work is not a simple records check. It involves technical land status research, analysis of conveyance history, evaluation of allotment overlaps, public notice steps, and a formal State best interest finding.
What is a "best interest finding" and why does it matter here?
A best interest finding is the State's formal determination of whether returning the land to federal ownership is in the State of Alaska's best interest. It matters because the parcels under review are State lands at the time of review, and the State has obligations to manage lands for the benefit of Alaskans.
What does "color of title" mean in this opportunity?
The opportunity references the State's fiduciary responsibility to ensure "color of title" is clear, meaning the chain of ownership and the legal rights attached to the land are not clouded by unresolved claims or conflicting conveyance histories.
Why is federal funding justified for this State review work?
The announcement explains that the title recovery process creates a substantial cost burden for the State stemming from historical conveyance errors made by federal agencies. Even though the underlying issue originated from past federal actions, the State must still invest significant time and resources to meet legally required review, notice, and decision-making requirements.
Why is this described as resource-intensive?
The process involves notice-and-finding requirements and technical land status work. These steps require due diligence, formal public notice actions, and detailed review and analysis, which collectively make the effort time- and resource-intensive.
What role do Alaska budget constraints play in this funding need?
The announcement notes that Alaska's budget constraints have pushed this work down the priority list, contributing to a significant slowdown in resolving these cases. The cooperative agreement is intended to help restore momentum and reduce delays.
How many awards were expected?
The opportunity anticipated a single award (Expected Awards: 1).
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The award ceiling was $500,000.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is intentionally narrow: the only eligible applicant is a State government, and the announcement explicitly states that the State of Alaska is the only entity that can carry out the review.
Why is eligibility limited to the State of Alaska?
The reasoning provided is that the parcels are State lands, only the State can authoritatively decide whether returning title is in its best interest, and the State has the local expertise to weigh land management impacts, existing and future uses, and other State-specific considerations.
Can another organization apply on behalf of the State or do the work instead?
Based on the announcement, no. It states the State of Alaska is the only entity that can carry out the review because the decision-making is tied to State ownership and responsibilities.
What is BLM trying to accomplish through this cooperative agreement?
BLM aims to accelerate the resolution of land title conflicts involving Native allotment applications on lands already conveyed to the State. By funding the State's review, public notice, and best interest determinations, BLM seeks to reduce the backlog, clear title uncertainties, and enable lawful correction of past conveyance errors so affected parcels can be properly administered and rightful claims addressed.
Why is this opportunity characterized as "mission critical"?
It is framed as mission critical because it directly supports conveyance and title resolution work that otherwise risks continuing to lag due to limited State resources and the complexity of the required process.
When was the opportunity created and when did it close?
The opportunity was created on January 19, 2017, and had an original closing date of February 21, 2017.
Is this opportunity designed to address a defined workload within a set time period?
Yes. The description indicates it was a time-bound solicitation intended to address a defined workload and help restore momentum on pending title recovery and Native allotment-related conveyance issues.
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