The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers held its first hearing on a proposal to return 24,000 acres to the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation of North Dakota.

The Corps originally proposed to transfer 36,000 acres on the shores of Lake Sakakawea to the tribe. The plan was scaled back to exclude wildlife management areas and boat ramps.

The tribe says it is owed the land after losing 156,000 acres to the Garrison Dam. The state plans to fight the transfer.

Five more hearings are planned. More information can be found at https://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/html/pa/pahm/land/home.htm.

Get the Story:
Hoeven adamant about stopping land transfer (The Bismarck Tribune 6/27)
Hearing held on proposed lake land transfer (AP 6/26)

Relevant Links:
Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation - http://www.mhanation.com

Related Stories:
Army Corps sets hearings on return of land to tribe (6/15)
North Dakota officials oppose return of land to tribe (05/25)
Army Corps holds hearings on return of land to tribe (5/24)
Proposal would return land to North Dakota tribe (04/27)
North Dakota tribe seeks return of land lost to dam (03/01)
N.D. tribe asks Congress to fulfill 50-year-old promise (06/13)