House subcommittee to hold hearing on land buy-back program

Monday, March 24, 2014

The House Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs will hold an oversight hearing next week to discuss the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations.

The $3.4 billion Cobell settlement authorized $1.9 billion for land consolidation. The hearing will examine how the Interior Department has been handling the program.

“Since the authorization of the Cobell settlement passed Congress, tribes have dealt with needless uncertainty and delays, and are rightly concerned that the program is being designed without transparency and input from those in Indian country,” Rep. Steve Daines (R-Montana) said in a press release.

The hearing will take place Thursday, April 3 at 2pm in Room 1324 of the Longworth House Office Building. A witness list hasn't been posted online.

In related news, a federal judge denied a request by the plaintiffs for an additional $10 million in legal fees. Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, Cobell v. Jewell.

Committee Notice:
Oversight Hearing on "Implementing the Cobell Settlement: Missed Opportunities and Lessons Learned.” (April 3, 2014)

Also Today:
Huge Incentives Denied in Landmark Settlement (Courthouse News Service 3/21)