WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, November 4, U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior Michael L. Connor and Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn will hold a press conference call to discuss this year’s accomplishments and important new opportunities for engagement for the continued implementation of the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations (Buy-Back Program). The Buy-Back Program implements the land consolidation component of the Cobell Settlement, which provided $1.9 billion to purchase fractional interests in trust or restricted land from willing sellers at fair market value. There are approximately 245,000 owners of nearly three million fractional interests at 150 locations across Indian Country who are eligible to participate in the Buy-Back Program. The Program is authorized through November 2022. Since 2013, the Buy-Back Program has paid nearly $715 million to individual landowners and restored the equivalent of approximately 1.5 million acres of land to tribal governments.
Who: Mike Connor, U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior Kevin Washburn, Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs
What: Press conference call to discuss the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations
When: Wednesday, November 4, 2015, 1:00 p.m. EDT
Media: Credentialed members of the media who wish to join this call should dial 1-877- 918-6312 and enter the passcode LAND PROGRAM.
