05/19/2022 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/19/2022 13:10
The Bureau of Indian Affairs has proposed revising the regulations governing the acquisition of land into trust for Indian tribes. The proposed revisions, if adopted, would streamline the fee-to-trust process and eliminate many of the important checks and balances that protect third-party interests, including those of other tribes, state and local governments, and neighboring landowners. Lands acquired in trust are exempt from state and local taxation and regulatory control, including environmental and land use laws. Acquisitions can be controversial when development for gaming or other commercial uses will significantly impact nearby communities.
BIA will conduct tribal consultation sessions through May 23, 2022, with tribal comments due by June 30. Although the public will not be provided a formal opportunity to comment on the preliminary proposed regulations, the public is free to comment informally before June 30.[1]
As currently drafted, the proposed revisions would
These changes would significantly tip the scales against the interests of third parties, including other tribes, state and local governments, and neighboring landowners. Interested parties should submit comments during the consultation period to ensure their views are considered before the BIA finalizes its proposed revisions and publishes the official notice of proposed rulemaking. There will be another opportunity to submit formal comments at the proposed rulemaking stage. However, the BIA will have already determined its basic plan of action by then, and achieving significant changes will be more difficult.
Endnote
[1]Information and materials, including proposed revisions in redline, are available at U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 25 CFR Part 151 (Land Acquisition) and 25 CFR Part 293 (Class III Tribal State Gaming Compact Process).
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