This notice informs the public that the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs proclaimed approximately 30.03 acres, more or less, of land near the Town of Willis, Marshall County, Oklahoma (Willis Site) in trust for the Chickasaw Nation for gaming and other purposes on January 19, 2017.

This notice is published in the exercise of authority delegated by the Secretary of the Interior to the Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs by 209 Departmental Manual 8.1, and is published to comply with the requirements of 25 CFR 151.12(c)(2)(ii) that notice of the decision to acquire land in trust be promptly provided in the Federal Register.

On January 19, 2017, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs issued a decision to accept the Willis Site, consisting of approximately 30.03 acres, more or less, of land in trust for the Chickasaw Nation (Nation), under the authority of the Indian Reorganization Act, 25 U.S.C. 5108. The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs determined that Nation's request also meets the requirements of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act's “Oklahoma exception,” 25 U.S.C. 2719(a)(2)(A)(i), to the general prohibition contained in 25 U.S.C. 2719(a) on gaming on lands acquired in trust after October 17, 1988.

The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs, on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior, will immediately acquire title to the Willis Site in the name of the United States of America in trust for the Nation upon fulfillment of Departmental requirements.