North Dakota Land Exchange: Restoring Trust Lands to Indian Tribes.
This Act authorizes North Dakota to exchange state trust lands located within Indian reservations for other federal lands of substantially equal value. The primary goal is to restore these lands and mineral resources to the respective Indian Tribes, potentially boosting their self-governance and economy. The process requires land valuation, consultation with affected Tribes, and ensures that existing rights, such as grazing permits, are maintained.
Key points
Land Exchange: North Dakota can relinquish its rights to state land grant parcels (often designated for school purposes) located within the boundaries of any Indian reservation.
Tribal Benefit: Lands relinquished by the state will be taken into trust by the Secretary of the Interior for the benefit of the applicable Indian Tribe, becoming part of the reservation.
Valuation and Balance: Exchanged lands must be of substantially equal value, determined by independent appraisals; minor value imbalances can be settled with payments or ledger accounts.
Protection of Rights: The Act does not modify or limit existing treaty rights of Indian Tribes or rights related to leases, permits, or contracts, including those for grazing.
Introduced
Citizen Poll