Trust

Interior delays decision on Oneida land-into-trust

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

The Interior Department has delayed a decision on the Oneida Nation's land-into-trust application.

A decision was due early this month. But it has been pushed back, partly to respond to questions raised by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York), who wants jurisdictional, regulation, taxation and other issues addressed.

The tribe asked for about 17,000 acres in two counties to be placed in trust. The Bureau of Indian Affairs published a final environmental impact statement that called for about 13,000 acres to be placed in trust.

Get the Story:
Schumer query delays land trust decision (The Syracuse Post-Standard 5/7)

Relevant Documents:
Final EIS (March 2008) | Draft EIS (November 2006)

Federal Register Notice:
Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Transfer From Fee to Trust of Parcels Owned by the Oneida Indian Nation of New York in Oneida and Madison Counties, New York (February 22, 2008)

From the Indianz.Com Archive:
BIA official calls high court ruling 'quite depressing' (March 31, 2005)
Major defeat for Oneida Nation in Supreme Court case (March 30, 2005)

Relevant Links:
Oneida Nation Trust - http://www.oneidanationtrust.com
Oneida Nation, New York - http://www.oneida-nation.net
Indian Nation Fee-to-Trust Land Acquisition Applications in New York State - http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/888.html
Oneida Indian Nation's Land Into Trust Application, Madison County - http://www.madisoncounty.org/motf/OINTrustMain.html

Sherrill v. Oneida Nation Decision:
Syllabus | Opinion [Ginsburg] | Concurrence [Souter] | Dissent [Stevens]