Michael L. Connor, the deputy secretary at the Interior Department.
Michael Connor, the second-highest ranking official at the Interior Department, will give an update on the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations tomorrow. The $3.4 billion Cobell settlement authorized $1.9 billion for land consolidation. DOI kicked off the program a year ago and has completed $225 million in acquisitions from willing individual Indian beneficiaries, according to a media advisory. Any interests acquired are transferred to tribal governments. Since last year, more than 375,000 acres have been returned to tribes, according to DOI. H.R.4783, the Claims Settlement Act of 2010, requires the land consolidation fund to be spent in 10 years. The settlement became final in November 2012 so the deadline would be 2022 unless modified by Congress.
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