An agreement was reached to prepare an environmental report for the Oneida Nation's request to place more than 17,000 acres in two New York counties into trust.

The Oneida Nation, Oneida County, Madison County, the state of New York and the Bureau of Indian Affairs have agreed to work together to prepare the report. It's needed as part of the land-into-trust process.

The tribe has purchased more than 17,000 acres within its original reservation. The U.S. Supreme Court said the tribe had to go through the land-into-trust process before claiming sovereignty on the properties.

A decision is at least two years away, according to federal officials.

Get the Story:
Counties plan to help on land trust report (The Syracuse Post-Standard 7/12)

Relevant Links:
Oneida Nation Trust - http://www.oneidanationtrust.com
Indian Nation Fee-to-Trust Land Acquisition Applications in New York State - http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/ogc/lands.html
Oneida Nation, New York - http://www.oneida-nation.net

Sherrill v. Oneida Nation Decision:
Syllabus | Opinion [Ginsburg] | Concurrence [Souter] | Dissent [Stevens]

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