Obama to sign omnibus public lands bill into law
President Barack Obama will sign the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 into law today.

The 1,218-page bill includes several provisions to benefit tribes and Alaska Natives. It settles the water rights for the Navajo Nation's water rights in New Mexico and for the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation.

The bill acquires land in trust for the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians of California, for the Shivwits Band of Paiute Indians of Utah and for the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California.

The bill also starts the environmental process for a road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. The road will benefit the Native village of King Cove.

Obama will sign the bill at a White House ceremony at 3pm.

Omnibus Lands Bill:
H.R.146 | S.22

Related Stories:
Tribal provisions included in omnibus lands bill (3/26)
Senate approves road for Alaska Native village (03/20)
Alaska Native road included in omnibus lands bill (1/12)
Navajo Nation water rights settlement in Congress (02/17)