The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) was appropriated an additional $2 million for land acquisition efforts on and off current reservations to support sustainable land practices. The increase supports self-determination on Tribal trust land and natural resources and enhances Tribal authority. The land acquisition effort is intended to foster and restore lands to new and landless Tribes, at Regional authority levels, for the development of conservation practices, law enforcement, applicable regulatory policies, and sustainable Tribal communities and economic development.
Consistent with applicable laws and regulations, the BIA Regional Directors are responsible for issuing decisions on all requests for non-gaming, off-reservation, and fee to-trust land acquisitions. The funds will directly support the BIA Regions for fee to-trust acquisitions.
Meaningful Tribal consultation, respect for Tribal sovereignty, and a commitment to trust and treaty responsibilities are Administration priorities. Given the expected Tribal interest in determining the best methodology for distribution of the additional funding, the Department of the Interior will conduct the following Tribal consultation sessions prior to making any final determination on how this will be accomplished.
We invite Tribal Leaders to join one or both consultation sessions to discuss the possible methodologies for distribution of the additional funding.
Invitation
Sessions
Comment Deadline
Please submit written input to consutlation@bia.gov by midnight Eastern Time on April 24, 2023.
