A plan for the distribution and use of more than $550,000 awarded by the Indian Claims Commission to the Fort Mojave Tribe of Indians is being published in the Federal Register, Interior Assistant Secretary Forrest Gerard announced today.
The funds are additional compensation for reservation lands taken as a result of the construction of the Parker Dam in 1940. The Fort Mojave Reservation lies at the juncture of the southern tip of Nevada with California and Arizona, and includes lands in all three states.
According to the plan, approved by Congress and effective November 12, 75 percent of the funds will be distributed to tribal members on a per capita basis. The tribe will use 17 percent of the award to partially repay a Federal Housing Authority loan and three percent for development of the tribal farm. Five percent of the award will be held in escrow to provide per capita payment for successful membership appellants, with any remainder to be used for tribal purposes.
