National
Gila River Tribe sees land buy as crucial to future


The Gila River Indian Community of Arizona says the purchase of 1,280 acres of county land will protect the reservation.

The tribe wants to fend off unwanted development along the borders of the existing reservation. Buying parts of San Tan Mountain Regional Park will help, officials say.

The tribe also says the land consolidation will prevent jurisdictional disputes in the future. Officials want to avoid a "checkerboard" pattern of Indian and non-Indian ownership.

Get the Story:
Gila River tribe plans land buy (The Arizona Republic 7/7)

Relevant Links:
Gila River Indian Community - http://www.gric.nsn.us
San Tan Mountain Regional Park - http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/santan

Related Stories:
Gila River Tribe plans to buy land in park for $8M (07/01)