Lummi Nation faces opposition to land-into-trust application

Monday, February 4, 2013  

Local officials in Washington are asking the Bureau of Indian Affairs to reject a land-into-trust application for the Lummi Nation.

The tribe has been negotiating with the city of Ferndale to address taxation and other issues at the 80-acre site. But a city official claims no progress has been made.

"[W]e are now extremely concerned over what may become a pattern of slow but continuous removal of essential land from Ferndale - as you may be aware, not only have the Lummis purchased this 80-acre site, they hold purchase options on additional property in this area," City Administrator Greg Young told the BIA in a letter, The Bellingham Herald reported.

Officials in Whatcom County also sent a letter to the BIA.

Get the Story:
Lummis move to get trust land status worries local governments (The Bellingham Herald 2/4)