The Reflector City portion of the Badlands Air Force Gunnery Range, South Dakota --some 5,280 acres of land --is now available for sale to its former owners, mostly Oglala Sioux Indians, Morris Thompson, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, said today.
The lands have been declared excess to the needs of the Air Force and administrative jurisdiction has been transferred to the Department of the Interior. Notice was published in the Federal Register of January 3.
Thompson said that any eligible former owner -- either Indian or non-Indian -- who wishes to purchase an available parcel within the 5,280-acre tract must file an application with the Superintendent of Pine Ridge Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs, South Dakota by January 31, 1975, or by law such right will automatically terminate.
The Oglala Sioux Tribal lands within the gunnery range were leased by the Federal government and the other lands within the range were purchased by the Federal government from individual owners, mostly Indians.
