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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2002

The Montana State Land Board on Tuesday voted to approve an agreement with the Northern Cheyenne Tribe over the transfer of coal tracts where tribal ancestors are buried.

The tribe filed suit against the Department of Interior to stop the transfer. But under the agreement, the tribe will drop the claim and industry who want to develop the tracts have to adhere to a number of conditions.

Included is an employment plan the tribe says will benefit tribal members and non-Indians. There are also other conditions affecting impact of local services.

Gov. Judy Martz (R) had voiced doubts about the tribe's requirements and, along with business leaders, called for the Land Board to delay approving the deal. But Democrats on the board voted three against the two Republicans to accept the deal.

Get the Story:
Land Board approves settlement for coal swap, over objections of governor, developers (The Billings Gazette 2/20)

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Progress made on mining agreement (2/1)
Coal tracts subject of lawsuit (1/29)