Michael L. Connor, the deputy secretary at the Interior Department. Photo from DOI

The Interior Department has extended another $100 million in offers under the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations.

The offers went out to more than 4,000 landowners on the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona and on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana. They will have until mid-October to accept or refuse.

“I continue to be encouraged by the progress we see with the Buy-Back Program, and welcome the ongoing collaboration we have had with many tribal nations as we implement this program across Indian Country,” Deputy Secretary Michael Connor said in a press release. “The success of the Buy-Back Program is vitally important. We are working vigorously with tribal staff to make sure that individuals are aware of this historic opportunity to strengthen tribal sovereignty by supporting the consolidation of Indian lands.”

The $3.4 billion 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 will be returned to tribes.

According to today's press release, DOI has successfully concluded $97 million in transactions since offers started going out to landowners late last year. Nearly 265,000 acres have been transferred to tribal governments.

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