BIA reopens comment period on rule for land-into-trust appeal

Thursday, August 15, 2013  

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has reopened the comment period on a new regulation that addresses appeals of land-into-trust decisions.

The comment period closed on July 29. But it's being reopened for another 15 days, according to a notice that will be published in the Federal Register tomorrow.

The regulation was written in response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Salazar v. Patchak. In that case, the justices ruled that opponents can sue the BIA for up to six years after the land is placed in trust.

As a result, the BIA says it is no longer necessary to wait 30 days for any appeals to be filed. The new rule eliminates the waiting period, which was established by regulation in 1996.

Forthcoming Federal Register Notice:
Land Acquisitions: Appeals of Land Acquisition Decisions (To Be Published August 16, 2013)

Native Sun News: BIA proposes rule for land-into-trust appeals (06/04)
BIA accepting comments on rule for land-into-trust appeals (05/29)
BIA proposes regulation to address land-into-trust appeals (05/24)