DOI to hold listening session on Cobell land buy-back program

Wednesday, April 30, 2014  

The Interior Department will hold a listening session next month on the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations.

The $3.4 billion Cobell settlement authorized $1.9 billion for land consolidation. DOI is using the money to buy fractionated interests from landowners in order to return the land to tribal governments.

The listening session takes place on May 29 from 1pm to 4pm Pacific time. It will be held at the Federal Building, Auditorium, 911 NE 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97232-4128.

"The purpose of this session is to gather input from tribes in order for the Department to continue to refine its land consolidation processes," a notice that was published in today's issue of the Federal Register states. "Landowners may also attend the session to provide input."

Federal Register Notice:
Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations Under Cobell Settlement (April 30, 2014)

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Ten reservations account for biggest share of Cobell buyback (04/17)
DOI extends $1.2M in offers to Makah Reservation landowners (04/15)
Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate reach agreement for Cobell buy-back (04/08)
Rep. Young open to an extension for Cobell buy-back program (4/4)
Audio from House subcommittee hearing on Cobell land buyback (4/3)
Larry Roberts: Answers about the Cobell land buy-back program (4/3)
DOI makes transfer of nearly $580K into Cobell scholarship fund (4/2)
Members of Oglala Sioux Tribe respond to Cobell buyback offers (3/28)
House subcommittee to hold hearing on land buy-back program (03/24)
DOI land buy-back boosts economy on Pine Ridge Reservation (03/19)
DOI announces $100M in land offers on Pine Ridge Reservation (3/18)
Deadline approaches for first Cobell land consolidation offers (1/27)