The General Services Administration has reversed course and plans to return 43 acres of surplus government property to the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians in Oregon.

The tribes sought to acquire the former Air National Guard site in March 2003. But the plan was thwarted when the Bureau of Indian Affairs reportedly forgot to submit paperwork to the GSA.

The tribes filed a lawsuit, forcing GSA to reconsider the status of the coveted waterfront property. The tribes plan to use the land for a cultural center and other purposes.

Get the Story:
Feds give 43 acres on coast to tribes (AP 11/24)
Feds say tribes get Coos Head (The Coos Bay World 11/23)
GSA to hand over coveted waterfront property to tribe (The Register-Guard 11/23)

Relevant Links:
Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians - http://www.ctclusi.org

Related Stories:
BIA forgets to seek surplus property for tribe (7/25)