The Interior Department held a listening session on the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on March 3, 2016. Photo by US Department of the Interior via Flickr
The Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations will be reaching deeper into Indian Country in the coming years. Another 63 reservations have been added to the implementation schedule, Deputy Secretary Michael Connor of the Interior Department announced on Tuesday. That brings the total number of locations to 105. “The Buy-Back Program embodies the priorities set forth by the Obama administration's goal to build effective partnerships with American Indian communities, promote sustainable economic development and tribal culture, and protect tribal lands,” Connor said in a press release. “In partnership with tribal governments, this program is generating new opportunities to work more efficiently, stimulate community dialogue and facilitate land use planning, while ensuring that lands stay in trust for the benefit of tribal nations.” The $3.4 billion settlement to the lawsuit included $1.9 billion for Indian landowners who want to sell their fractionated interests. The Indian Land Consolidation Act requires the federal government to pay "fair market value" for the interests. As of May 13, nearly 73,000 individual Indians have received $742.3 million for their interests. The equivalent of nearly 1.5 million acres has been transferred to tribes as a result. H.R.4783, the Claims Settlement Act of 2010, requires the land consolidation fund to be spent in 10 years. The settlement became final in November 2012 so the deadline would be 2022 unless modified by Congress. Connor noted that the implementation schedule runs through mid-2021. But Secretary Sally Jewell will be considering options to extend the program after receiving recommendations from staff.
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