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JULY 21, 2000

An agreement between Senators Don Nickles (R-Okla) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) has tabled plans addressing ownership and use of Fort Reno in Oklahoma.

Nickles had language in a bill preventing the Department of Agriculture from ever declaring the land as surplus property. Inouye was going to attempt removing that language this week.

But both agreed instead to insert language stating that no action on the Fort be taken by a new Secretary of Agriculture until July 1.

The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribe of Oklahoma want Fort Reno Back. Last month, they started a media campaign in Washington DC to try to convince the Senate to declare Fort Reno in Oklahoma as surplus land.

If the land were declared surplus property, this would be the first step that would allow the tribes to take the land of Fort Reno back into trust.

The tribes had Fort Reno taken away from them for use as a military fort in 1883, but the Fort was turned over to the Department of Agriculture in 1948. Senator Nickles and others claim that the tribe has already received compensation for the land, but the Interior Department claims that the tribe has a valid argument.

The Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes have been involved in numerous controversies involving the reclaiming of Fort Reno including receiving money back from the Democratic National Committee.

Those in opposition to the tribe would like to see Fort Reno turned into a Military Museum of the Southwest.

The Interior Department is currently conducting an audit of the tribe, alleging mismanagement of federal funds.

Get the Story:
Fate of Fort Reno put in hands of incoming president (The Daily Oklahoman 7/21)