Pueblo country in New Mexico just got a little bigger with the approval of three land-into-trust acquisitions by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The BIA placed 8.43 acres in trust for the 19 Pueblos. The land was part of the old Albuquerque Indian School, where the tribes now operate the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and other development.

The acquisition was mandatory under the Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2008. The law contains a prohibition on gaming.

The BIA also placed nearly 7,400 acres in trust for Kewa Pueblo, formerly known as Santo Domingo Pueblo. The acquisition was mandatory under the Santo Domingo Pueblo Claims Settlement Act of 2000.

Finally, the BIA placed about 1,219 acres in trust for Santa Clara Pueblo. The acquisition was mandatory under the Pueblo de San Ildefonso Claims Settlement Act of 2005.

The BIA approved the three acquisitions back in January, when Larry Echo Hawk was serving as assistant secretary. But the notices were only published in the Federal Register yesterday and they were signed by Del Laverdure, the acting assistant secretary.

The notices state that challenges to the acquisitions can only be filed in federal court.

Federal Register Notices:
Land Acquisitions: 19 Pueblos (July 5, 2012)
Land Acquisitions: Pueblo of Santo Domingo (July 5, 2012)
Land Acquisitions: Pueblo of Santa Clara (July 5, 2012)