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APRIL 10, 2001

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation on Monday proposed a settlement to resolve a dispute over land with the towns of Ledyard, North Stonington, and Preston.

The tribe is offering to comply with local land-use regulations, make payments in lieu of taxes to the towns, and consult with town leaders before seeking additional land-into-trust transfers.

One town, Ledyard, already receives $250,000 annually from the state to cover tax revenues it would have received for land taken into trust for the tribe.

The towns said they want the tribe to define an upper limit to future land holdings. The tribe's offer doesn't address the issue, but freshman Rep. Rob Simmons (R-Conn.), who is facilitating the talks between the parties, said the proposal is just a starting point.

The towns and the state filed suit against the Department of Interior over 165 acres of land. They lost their case before the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals last fall and have asked the Supreme Court to review the matter.

The tribe said it wants to add 440 acres to its reservation, including the 165 acres in question.

Read the Proposal:
Text of Letter from Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation to Town Leaders (MPTN 4/9)

Get the Story:
Tribe Seeks 440 More Acres (The New London Day 4/10)
Final reservation border amond towns' unanswered questions (The New London Day 4/10)