Indian beneficiaries in Arizona are in line for millions of dollars from the land consolidation portion of the $3.4 billion Cobell trust fund settlement, Cronkite News reports.

The Interior Department plans to start making offers under the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations by the end of the year. Initial figures show landowners on the Navajo Nation could see $102.9 million while those on the Gila River Indian Community could receive $60.6 million for their fractionated interests.

The settlement provides $1.9 billion for land consolidation, with 15 percent to be taken by the Bureau of Indian Affairs for administrative costs. The money must be spent within 10 years.

The program is entirely voluntary. Any interests acquired will be returned to tribal governments.

Additional details of the program were announced on a conference call yesterday. Audio can be found below:

Get the Story:
Interior announces details of $1.9 billion Indian lands buy-back program (Cronkite News 6/18)
Tribal land buy-back program starting (AP 6/18)

Related Stories:
DOI gives update on land consolidation program under Cobell (6/18)
Cherokee Nation low on list for Cobell land consolidation plan (05/06)
BIA aims to start Cobell land consolidation purchases this year (04/22)