The Coeur d'Alene Tribe of Idaho wants to take part in a pilot project for the land consolidation portion of the $3.4 billion Cobell trust fund settlement.

The Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations is due to start later this year on reservations in Washington, Montana and South Dakota. The Coeur d'Alene Tribe isn't included but already has a similar program in place.

"We could be a model," Helo Hancock, the tribe's legislative director, told The Coeur d'Alene Press.

Hancock said the tribe has identified 100 allotments on the reservation that are highly fractionated but whose owners are willing to sell. Under the Cobell settlement, the owners will be compensated for their interests and the land will be returned to the tribal government.

Get the Story:
Tribe pursues pilot project (The Coeur d'Alene Press 8/3)

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