Officials in Kootenai County, Idaho, are fighting the Bureau of Indian Affairs over a decision to acquire 142.6 acres in trust for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.

The land is within reservation boundaries. It only generates around $9,900 in property taxes a year and the tribe thinks the county is being unreasonable.

"I think, for us, it's distasteful at best," Helo Hancock, the tribe's legislative director, told The Coeur d'Alene Press. "It's land we paid top dollar to get back and in a lot of ways it's degrading."

The tribe sent a letter to county commissioners last month, noting it contributed $5 million to the local community in 2009 alone. "Should our money go elsewhere?" Chairman Chief Allan said at a meeting with local officials, the paper reported.

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Tribe, county debate land (The Coeur d'Alene Press 7/8)