Youth on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation in Idaho. Photo from Coeur d'Alene Tribe Council Fires

The Interior Department plans to spend $4.1 million on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation as part of the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations.

The tribe is holding public sessions this month to inform landowners about the program. Participation is voluntary and any fractionated interests that are acquired will be returned to the tribe.

"We need to complete the land appraisal before we can make any purchases," spokesperson Heather Keen told The Coeur d'Alene Press. "We will purchase as many interests at fair market value as we can with the $4.1 million."

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.

Get the Story:
Tribe seeks land buybacks (The Coeur d'Alene Press 6/11)

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