The Montana State Land Board voted unanimously in favor of a land swap with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

The tribe wants to exchange almost nine square miles of its land for about three square miles of state land. "The exchange will benefit both parties," council member Steve Lozar told the board, the Associated Press reported.

The board's vote starts the negotiation process between the tribe and the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

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State land board OKs swap with Salish-Kootenai (AP 8/11)