(KODIAK) - On Monday Governor Frank Murkowski signed Senate Bill 283 into law, thus authorizing the Afognak land deal hammered out this year with landowners. The total amount approved was $2.65 million. $2 million in federal receipts from the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation grant program will go to the Department of Natural Resources as well as $650,000 from conservation groups led by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for the land acquisition.

Since 1999, the Kodiak Brown Bear Trust, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the American Land Conservancy have worked together with landowners to complete the high priority ranked habitat parcel known as the Perenosa Bay project. This development will complete restoration that the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council (EVOS) initiated to protect this biologically rich area. Private funding from the Paul Allen Foundation will add matching money to the federal wetlands grants.

"I just can't say enough about the efforts of the many people and organizations that worked to make this land deal a reality," said Rep. Ogg. "I believe new economic opportunities will be created while marine research continues into this important area that was affected by the oil spill."

Pam Foreman of the Kodiak Island Convention and Visitors' Bureau (KICVB) is enthusiastic about the land deal.

"The KICVB supported the purchase for several reasons, including the preservation of land important to tourism businesses," Foreman said. "Perenosa Bay offers visitors a coastal rainforest experience enhancing Kodiak's appeal as a travel destination. Several KICVB member businesses operate in this area, which lends itself to exceptional kayaking, wildlife viewing, hunting and fishing."

Tim Richardson of the American Land Conservancy was particularly appreciative of the efforts and assistance from the Kodiak Island Borough (KIB) and Kodiak legislators Senator Gary Stevens and Representative Dan Ogg. "Following the veto last year by Alaska Governor Frank Murkowski, Dan Ogg in particular wouldn't give up and kept the dialogue open with the governor," Richardson said.

The KIB will receive $90,000 from the sale up front as part of the deal brokered by Rep. Ogg. When moving from phase I to phase II of the purchase the borough should receive an additional $150,000.

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