Michael Connor. Photo from Bureau of Reclamation
The Interior Department will hold a listening session on the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations on March 3, 2016. The session will take place at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Deputy Secretary Michael Connor and Special Trustee for American Indians Vince Logan want to hear from tribal leaders and landowners about the program that has put more than $725 million into the hands of individual Indians. "Together through our nation-to-nation engagement with tribal governments, we are focused on ensuring that landowners are aware of the program and are given every opportunity to make informed decisions about the potential sale of their land at fair market value," Connor said in a press release. "The Buy-Back Program is an exceptional opportunity that should not be taken for granted.” The $3.4 billion Cobell settlement provided $1.9 billion for Indian landowners who want to sell their fractionated interests. DOI will pay "fair market value" as required by the Indian Land Consolidation Act. Participation is entirely voluntary. Any land that is acquired will be returned to tribes. Since the first offers went out two years ago, Indian landowners have accepted nearly $721 million for their fractional interests, according to the program. The equivalent of more than 1.48 million acres has been transferred to tribal governments.
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