Stockbridge-Munsee land-into-trust deal stirs debates

Wednesday, April 18, 2012  

A land-into-trust agreement with the Stockbridge-Munsee Community in Wisconsin is stirring controversy.

The tribe has agreed to pay $140,000 annually for the next 10 years to Shawano County to address the loss of property taxes on existing trust land. But some local officials and residents are concerned because they say the tribe could pull funding if the county opposes any future land-into-trust applications.

The agreement doesn't include a cap on future applications. And the tribe could raise a sovereign immunity defense, the attorney for one town in the county said.

Due to objections, the county board of supervisors sent the agreement back to a committee for further review.

Get the Story:
Land-to-trust deal put on hold (The Shawano Leader 4/17)

Related Stories:
State court backs Stockbridge-Munsee's sovereign immunity (2/15)