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A view of the Umatilla Reservation in Oregon. Photo from Facebook
The Interior Department plans to spend $12 million on the Umatilla Reservation in Oregon as part of the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations. The tribe has already identified 400 parcels of highly fractionated interests. DOI will be negotiating with more than 5,000 owners in hopes of consolidating the land. "We are well-positioned to work with owners of fractionated allotments in purchasing back our lands for the common interest of our tribal members," Chairman Gary Burke said in a statement to The East Oregonian. "We have and will continue to develop land management plans that will ensure our survival now and for future generations." The Cobell settlement provided $1.9 billion for Indian landowners who want to sell their fractionated interests. DOI will pay "fair market value" as required by the Indian Land Consolidation Act. Participation is entirely voluntary. Any land that is acquired through the program will be returned to tribal governments. Get the Story:
CTUIR begins to buy back lost land (The East Oregonian 6/7) Related Stories:
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DOI sets agenda for Cobell buy-back listening session on May 29 (05/23)
DOI extends Cobell buy-back program on Pine Ridge Reservation (5/20)
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DOI to announce next steps for Cobell land buy-back program (5/14)
DOI extends $1.6M buyback offers for Makah Nation landowners (05/09)
DOI to hold listening session on Cobell land buy-back program (04/30)
DOI looks to spend $2.55M on Makah Nation land buy-back (04/21)
Ten reservations account for biggest share of Cobell buyback (04/17)
DOI extends $1.2M in offers to Makah Reservation landowners (04/15)
Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate reach agreement for Cobell buy-back (04/08)
Rep. Young open to an extension for Cobell buy-back program (4/4)
Audio from House subcommittee hearing on Cobell land buyback (4/3)
Larry Roberts: Answers about the Cobell land buy-back program (4/3)
DOI makes transfer of nearly $580K into Cobell scholarship fund (4/2)
Members of Oglala Sioux Tribe respond to Cobell buyback offers (3/28)
House subcommittee to hold hearing on land buy-back program (03/24)
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Deadline approaches for first Cobell land consolidation offers (1/27)
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