A Republican candidate for Montana's state auditor post hopes to make a deal with the Northern Cheyenne a campaign issue.

State Sen. Duane Grimes says the State Land Board should not have made an agreement with the tribe over the development of the Otter Creek coal tracts, which are next to the reservation. He told The Billings Gazette it "was not in the best interest of the school trust."

The tribe filed a lawsuit to stop the federal government from handing over the coal tracks to the state. The tribe dropped the case when the state agreed to certain conditions, including requiring anyone who leases the land to make an effort to train and hire Indians and local residents, contract with Indian businesses, provide environmental monitoring and protect cultural sites.

The deal does not impose Indian preference or hiring quotas, The Billings Gazette said.

Get the Story:
State senator files for auditor post (The Billings Gazette 3/9)

Related Stories:
Mont. gets hold of coal tracts (04/11)
Coal tracts to be transferred (4/10)
Norton pressed on Mont. coal transfer (3/20)
Mont. tribe seeks development (3/19)
Cheyenne coal deal approved (2/20)
Progress made on mining agreement (2/1)
Coal tracts subject of lawsuit (1/29)