Rep. Brian M. Higgins (D-New York) asked Interior Secretary Gale Norton to review the Seneca Nation's land buys after The Buffalo News published a story that showed the tribe was buying multimillion dollar properties for as little as $1.

Higgins said the deals may violate the tribe's compact with the state. He said a 1990 land claim settlement with the state did not give the tribe free license to buy all the land it wants. The settlement authorized the tribe $30 million to buy lands that would be held in trust.

As a result, the properties would be exempt from the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act's ban on newly acquired lands, but only if they are purchased with settlement funds. The Buffalo News suggested the land deals are the tribe's attempt to ensure they will meet the IGRA exception.

The Seneca Nation is planning to comment on the situation, the paper said.

Get the Story:
iggins wants review of Seneca land deals (The Buffalo News 2/16)

Relevant Links:
Seneca Nation - http://www.sni.org

Related Stories:
Seneca Nation buys land in Buffalo for at little as $1 (2/13)