Oilmen fight tribal land reform bill

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2002

An oil industry lobbyist in Oklahoma claims to have a document that details a tribal plan for retaliating against the oil industry.

The alleged document states that the Cherokee Nation will "threaten tribal regulations over oil and gas access, accounting, taxation, etc. Prepare tribal law to regulate and tax producers," according to the Daily Oklahoman.

The Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association has derailed a bill to reform the way land belonging to members of the Five Civilized Tribes, including the Cherokee Nation, is handled. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) is holding the bill pending negotiations with tribes.

But the oilmen will no longer negotiate due to the alleged document.

A Cherokee spokesperson was not aware of the specific document but did say "some ideas were put on paper" and said the tribe has responded to the association's objections.

Get the Story:
Oil group criticizes Cherokees (The Daily Oklahoman 10/15)

Get the Bill:
Five Nations Citizens Land Reform Act (H.R.2880)

Relevant Documents:
Witness List (9/20) | Video: Senate hearing (9/20)

Relevant Links:
Oklahoma Corporation Commission - http://www.occ.state.ok.us