82 FR 17681 - Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations Under Cobell Settlement
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of the Secretary Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 69 (April 12, 2017)
Office of the Secretary
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 69 (April 12, 2017)
| Page Range | 17681-17683 | |
| FR Document | 2017-07417 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 12, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 17681-17683] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-07417] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of the Secretary [133D5670LC DS10100000 DLCAP0000.000000 WBS DX.10120] Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations Under Cobell Settlement AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations will host its annual Listening Session on April 25, 2017, at the Tulalip Resort Casino's hotel in Tulalip, Washington. As described below, the Program hopes to receive feedback from tribes and individuals on critical issues related to Program implementation, future efforts to reduce land fractionation, and its 2016 Status Report. DATES: The Listening Session will take place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on April 25, 2017, at the Tulalip Resort Casino's hotel in Tulalip, WA. ADDRESSES: The Listening Session will be held at the Tulalip Resort Casino's hotel, 10200 Quil Ceda Blvd., Tulalip, WA 98271. The 2016 Status Report on the Program is available at https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/2016_buy-back_program_final_0.pdf. Submit written feedback on the Program by email to [email protected] or by mail to U.S. Department of the Interior Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations, 1849 C Street NW., MS-3543, Washington, DC 20240. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tribal staff can contact Michael Estes at (202) 642-0912 or at [email protected] with questions regarding Program implementation. Landowners should contact the Trust Beneficiary Call Center at 1-888-678-6836 with questions or to express their interest in Program participation. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The Service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations (Buy-Back Program) is the Department of the Interior's (Department) collaborative effort with Indian Country to realize the historic opportunity afforded by the Cobell Settlement--a $1.9 billion Trust Land Consolidation Fund--to compensate individuals who willingly choose to sell fractional land interests for fair market value. Consolidated interests are immediately restored to tribal trust ownership for uses benefiting the reservation community and tribal members. Since the Program began making offers in December 2013, more than $1.1 billion has been paid to landowners, over 680,000 fractional interests have been consolidated (representing a 23 percent reduction), and the equivalent of nearly 2.1 million acres of land have been transferred to tribal governments. Tribal ownership is now greater than 50 percent in more than 13,500 tracts of land. The Program recently released its annual Status Report, which highlights the steps taken to date to consolidate fractional interests: (https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/2016_buy-back_program_final_0.pdf). The Buy-Back Program's implementation schedule currently includes 105 locations through mid-2021, which reflects more than 96 percent of all landowners with fractional interests and more than 98 percent of both the purchasable fractional interests and equivalent acres [[Page 17682]] in Program-eligible areas: (https://www.doi.gov/buybackprogram/program-implementation-schedule). Even with the Program's significant progress to date--and the results expected through its congressional funding authorization in 2022--the resources created by the Cobell Settlement will not be sufficient to purchase all fractional interests across Indian Country. Sustained Departmental, congressional, and tribal attention will be necessary to address fractionation and maximize the value of the land base for the benefit of tribal communities. II. Listening Session Agenda The participation and engagement of tribal nations and landowners have been critical to the success of the Buy-Back Program, and the significant results to date stem directly from that collaboration. The purpose of the upcoming Listening Session is to gather input from Indian Country on Program implementation, and to discuss steps to continue to address fractionation and the challenges it poses for tribal sovereignty and effective land use. The Listening Session agenda is as follows: 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.--Landowner Outreach Event (Subject matter experts will conduct an informational session to include appraisals, acquisitions, and financial education) 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.--Resource Tables open (Staff available to provide information about the Program, register willing sellers, and answer landowner questions) 1:00 p.m.--Listening Session begins; Opening Remarks; Program Presentation 1:50 p.m.--Comment Period--Tribal Leaders; Comment Period--Individual Landowners & General Public 3:30 p.m.--Presentation on Future of Consolidation Work 3:50 p.m.--Comment Period--Tribal Leaders; Comment Period--Individual Landowners & General Public 5:00 p.m.--Listening Session ends; Resource Tables re-open 5:30 p.m.--Resource Tables close III. Seeking Tribal and Individual Input Tribal input has been critical to making necessary enhancements to the Buy-Back Program. Feedback received from tribes and individuals has led directly to many of the measures incorporated since the creation of the Program. This includes feedback received from tribal leaders who most recently testified during the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs' oversight hearing in December 2016 regarding Program implementation (https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/dep_sec_testimony_before_scia_2016.pdf). The Program intends to make progress in a number of areas over the coming year (further explored in the ``Next Steps'' section of the 2016 Status Report). Tribes, landowners and others may provide written feedback on the Buy-Back Program. While the Program welcomes ongoing feedback, comments received by May 31, 2017, will be most helpful. While feedback is welcome related to any aspect of the Program, the following areas are of particular interest: 1. Locations Where Implementations May Occur. Based on tribal feedback, the Program has used various criteria to determine the best sequence of implementation, including: Severity of fractionation (a location's number of fractionated tracts, interests, and acres); degree of ownership overlap between locations or geographic proximity; diversity of geographic locations to maximize efficiency, resources, and learning opportunities; appraisal complexity; overall interest of the tribe as demonstrated through the fiscal year (FY) 2014 open solicitation and FY 2016 Planning Initiative periods; number of owners who have demonstrated an interest in selling fractional interests; and cost and time efficiency. The Buy-Back Program's implementation schedule includes 105 locations through mid-2021. However, the Program continually evaluates its resources and progress and will determine whether the schedule should be updated, to include adding locations not currently scheduled, removing locations on the existing schedule, and/or returning to locations where purchase offers have already been sent. This evaluation will consider the potential for unused funds reserved for implementation costs and whether and how such funds could be used to further address fractionation. The Program will actively monitor sales and actual or anticipated costs of implementation at less fractionated or more complicated locations (e.g., those that involve restricted fee interests, unique laws--such as the Five Tribes in Eastern Oklahoma, and site-specific appraisals). The Program seeks feedback on what factors should be taken into consideration as it plans for future implementation with any remaining resources it may have. 2. Off-Reservation Tracts (e.g., Public Domain). Under the Settlement, fractional interests acquired by the Program will be held in trust for the tribe with jurisdiction over the land. However, tribal jurisdiction over off-reservation allotments may be unclear or even disputed. In its 2014 Status Report and Federal Register Notices dated November 24, 2014, and March 3, 2015, the Program requested feedback on whether and if so, how, the Program should incorporate off-reservation tracts, including any suggested standards or processes that could be applied. Tribal feedback encouraged the Program to consider acquisition of off-reservation interests. The Program's 2016 Status Report states that the Program would consider inclusion of off-reservation tracts if tribal jurisdiction exists, acquisition meets the Program's implementation factors, and resources allow. As contemplated in its 2016 Status Report, the Program seeks further input on implementation of this policy. First, given the Program's limited resources, the Program requests input on the relative priority of dedicating financial resources to off-reservation tracts when there is a significant amount of fractionated land located within reservation boundaries. Prioritizing the Program's limited resources toward addressing on-reservation fractional interests may better facilitate more efficient administration of the individual Indian trust and the longstanding ``policy of the United States to encourage and assist the consolidation of land ownership . . . in a manner consistent with the policy of maintaining the trust status of allotted lands. . . .'' (25 U.S.C. 2216(a)). Second, the Program also requests input on the approach the Program will use for determining if tribal jurisdiction exists, assuming that resources are available to pursue off-reservation lands and consistent with Program priorities. In order to determine whether there is tribal jurisdiction, the Program proposes to consider various factors relative to the off-reservation tract(s) at issue, such as: a. Treaties, statutes, executive orders, patents, or other legal instruments or laws applicable to the tract; b. Whether the tract is held in trust or restricted status; c. Whether the tribe seeking to participate in the Program has an ownership interest in the tract and how the interest was acquired; d. Whether another tribe or tribes own an interest in the tract and how the interest was acquired; e. Tribal membership of the individuals who own fractional interests in the tract; f. Types of governmental services provided to the tract and by whom (tribe, federal, state, county, or other government); [[Page 17683]] g. Whether a local BIA office serves or performs activities relative to the tract; h. Whether the tract is located within an original or other reservation boundary; i. Whether the tract is adjacent to a reservation boundary; j. The distance of the tract from a reservation boundary if not within or adjacent to a reservation boundary; k. Whether tribal jurisdiction is recognized by other tribes, counties, and/or states; and; l. Whether there are competing claims of jurisdiction over the tract involving other tribes, including past or current litigation. The above factors are intended to be applied on a case-by-case basis in an uncomplicated fashion, recognizing the unique goals and parameters of the Cobell Settlement Agreement and the Claims Resolution Act of 2010. 3. Looking Beyond 2022. The Program anticipates that more than 4 million equivalent purchasable fractionated acres may still exist after it fully expends the Consolidation Fund, which is expected to occur by November 24, 2022 (the date by which the Settlement dictates that any remaining funds be returned to the U.S. Department of the Treasury). Even with the Program's significant progress to date--and the results expected through 2022--fractionation will continue to be an extremely complicated, ongoing problem in the long term. The Department will continue to work with Indian Country to explore options for land consolidation and requests tribal input and ideas on potential solutions and options for addressing long-term fractionation. IV. Additional Resources The Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations' 2016 Status Report and additional information about the Buy-Back Program is available at: http://www.doi.gov/buybackprogram. In addition, landowners can contact the Trust Beneficiary Call Center at 888-678-6836 or visit their local Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) to ask questions about their land or purchase offers, and learn about financial planning resources. More information and detailed frequently asked questions are available at https://www.doi.gov/buybackprogram/FAQ to help individuals make informed decisions about their land. Authority This notice is published pursuant to the Claims Resolution Act of 2010, Public Law 111-291, 124 Stat. 3064 (2010) and the Cobell Settlement Agreement, Cobell v. Salazar, No. 1:96CV01285-JR (D. DC Dec. 7, 2009). John H. McClanahan, Director, Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations. [FR Doc. 2017-07417 Filed 4-11-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4334-63-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 69 / Wednesday, April 12, 2017 / Notices 17681
SECTION 8 RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ANNOUNCEMENT OF AWARDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016—Continued
Housing agency Address Units Award
TN: MEMPHIS HOUSING AUTHORITY ...................... P.O. BOX 3664, MEMPHIS, TN 38103 ....................... 359 2,309,174
TN: TENNESSEE HOUSING DEV AGENCY .............. 502 DEADERICK STREET, 3RD FLOOR, NASH- 15 79,630
VILLE, TN 37243.
VA: RICHMOND REDEVELOPMENT & H/A ............... 901 CHAMBERLAYNE PARKWAY, P.O. BOX 26887, 132 1,031,437
RICHMOND, VA 23261.
WA: HA OF THE CITY OF BREMERTON .................. 600 PARK AVENUE, BREMERTON, WA 98337 ........ 30 220,381
WA: HOUS AUTH OF THE CITY OF TACOMA .......... 902 SOUTH ‘‘L’’ STREET, SUITE 2C, TACOMA, WA 48 427,018
98405.
WA: HOUS AUTH OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA ........... 810 N 6TH AVE., YAKIMA, WA 98902 ........................ 32 136,551
Total for Termination/Opt-out Vouchers ................ ....................................................................................... 2,003 14,994,664
Total for Housing TP ...................................... ....................................................................................... 5,098 48,949,103
CPD TPV
SRO—Replacement
CO: FORT COLLINS HSG AUTH ................................ 1715 W. MOUNTAIN AVE., FORT COLLINS, CO 12 97,598
80521.
OH: CUYAHOGA MHA ................................................ 8120 KINSMAN ROAD, CLEVELAND, OH 44104 ...... 3 18,674
VQ: VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY ......... P.O. BOX 7668, ST. THOMAS, VI 00801 ................... 7 60,273
WA: SEATTLE HOUSING AUTHORITY ...................... 120 SIXTH AVENUE NORTH, P.O. BOX 19028, SE- 74 497,333
ATTLE, WA 98109.
Total for SRO—Replacement ............................... ....................................................................................... 96 673,878
Total for CPD TPV ......................................... ....................................................................................... 96 673,878
Grand Total ............................................. ....................................................................................... 9,606 86,970,667
the Program is available at https://www. Indian Country to realize the historic
[FR Doc. 2017–07390 Filed 4–11–17; 8:45 am] doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/ opportunity afforded by the Cobell
BILLING CODE 4210–67–P 2016_buy-back_program_final_0.pdf. Settlement—a $1.9 billion Trust Land
Submit written feedback on the Program Consolidation Fund—to compensate
by email to buybackprogram@ individuals who willingly choose to sell
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ios.doi.gov or by mail to U.S. fractional land interests for fair market
Department of the Interior Land Buy- value. Consolidated interests are
Office of the Secretary Back Program for Tribal Nations, 1849 C immediately restored to tribal trust
[133D5670LC DS10100000 Street NW., MS–3543, Washington, DC ownership for uses benefiting the
DLCAP0000.000000 WBS DX.10120] 20240. reservation community and tribal
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
members.
Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Since the Program began making
Tribal staff can contact Michael Estes at
Nations Under Cobell Settlement offers in December 2013, more than $1.1
(202) 642–0912 or at buybackprogram@
billion has been paid to landowners,
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior. ios.doi.gov with questions regarding
over 680,000 fractional interests have
ACTION: Notice. Program implementation. Landowners
been consolidated (representing a 23
should contact the Trust Beneficiary
SUMMARY: The Land Buy-Back Program percent reduction), and the equivalent
Call Center at 1–888–678–6836 with
for Tribal Nations will host its annual of nearly 2.1 million acres of land have
questions or to express their interest in
Listening Session on April 25, 2017, at been transferred to tribal governments.
Program participation. Persons who use
the Tulalip Resort Casino’s hotel in Tribal ownership is now greater than 50
a telecommunications device for the
Tulalip, Washington. As described percent in more than 13,500 tracts of
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay land. The Program recently released its
below, the Program hopes to receive Service at 1–800–877–8339 to contact
feedback from tribes and individuals on annual Status Report, which highlights
the above individual during normal the steps taken to date to consolidate
critical issues related to Program business hours. The Service is available
implementation, future efforts to reduce fractional interests: (https://
24 hours a day, seven days a week, to www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/
land fractionation, and its 2016 Status leave a message or question with the
Report. uploads/2016_buy-back_program_final_
above individual. You will receive a 0.pdf).
DATES: The Listening Session will take reply during normal business hours. The Buy-Back Program’s
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on April 25, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: implementation schedule currently
2017, at the Tulalip Resort Casino’s includes 105 locations through mid-
hotel in Tulalip, WA. I. Background
2021, which reflects more than 96
ADDRESSES: The Listening Session will The Land Buy-Back Program for percent of all landowners with
be held at the Tulalip Resort Casino’s Tribal Nations (Buy-Back Program) is fractional interests and more than 98
hotel, 10200 Quil Ceda Blvd., Tulalip, the Department of the Interior’s percent of both the purchasable
WA 98271. The 2016 Status Report on (Department) collaborative effort with fractional interests and equivalent acres
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 69 / Wednesday, April 12, 2017 / Notices 17683
g. Whether a local BIA office serves or (2010) and the Cobell Settlement Topics of discussion during the
performs activities relative to the tract; Agreement, Cobell v. Salazar, No. meeting will include presentations from
h. Whether the tract is located within 1:96CV01285–JR (D. DC Dec. 7, 2009). BLM staff on implementation of the
an original or other reservation approved RMP, the process for
John H. McClanahan,
boundary; development of new trails, and public
i. Whether the tract is adjacent to a Director, Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal
comments.
reservation boundary; Nations.
The meeting is open to the public,
j. The distance of the tract from a [FR Doc. 2017–07417 Filed 4–11–17; 8:45 am]
and the agenda allocates time, as
reservation boundary if not within or BILLING CODE 4334–63–P
identified above, for public comments.
adjacent to a reservation boundary; Depending on the number of persons
k. Whether tribal jurisdiction is wishing to comment and time available,
recognized by other tribes, counties, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
the time for individual oral comments
and/or states; and; may be limited at the discretion of the
l. Whether there are competing claims Bureau of Land Management
chair. The public may also present
of jurisdiction over the tract involving [LLCON06000–L16100000–DR0000–17X] written comments to the Council at the
other tribes, including past or current meeting.
litigation. Notice of Public Meeting for the
Before including your address, phone
The above factors are intended to be Dominguez-Escalante National
number, email address, or other
applied on a case-by-case basis in an Conservation Area Advisory Council,
personal identifying information in your
uncomplicated fashion, recognizing the Colorado
comment, you should be aware that
unique goals and parameters of the your entire comment—including your
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
Cobell Settlement Agreement and the personal identifying information—may
Interior.
Claims Resolution Act of 2010. be made publicly available at any time.
3. Looking Beyond 2022. The Program ACTION: Notice of Meeting.
While you can ask us in your comment
anticipates that more than 4 million SUMMARY: In accordance with the to withhold your personal identifying
equivalent purchasable fractionated Federal Land Policy and Management information from public review, we
acres may still exist after it fully Act of 1976 and the Federal Advisory cannot guarantee that we will be able to
expends the Consolidation Fund, which Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. do so.
is expected to occur by November 24, Department of the Interior, Bureau of
2022 (the date by which the Settlement Land Management (BLM) Dominguez- Gregory P. Shoop,
dictates that any remaining funds be Escalante National Conservation Area BLM Colorado Associate State Director.
returned to the U.S. Department of the (NCA) Advisory Council will meet as [FR Doc. 2017–07372 Filed 4–11–17; 8:45 am]
Treasury). Even with the Program’s indicated below. BILLING CODE 4310–JB–P
significant progress to date—and the DATES: The meeting will be held May 3,
results expected through 2022— 2017, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Public
fractionation will continue to be an comments regarding matters on the DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
extremely complicated, ongoing agenda will be held at 4:15 p.m. and
problem in the long term. The Bureau of Land Management
5:30 p.m.
Department will continue to work with Any adjustments to this meeting
Indian Country to explore options for schedule will be advertised on the [LLWO220000.L10200000.PK0000]
land consolidation and requests tribal Dominguez-Escalante NCA RMP Web
input and ideas on potential solutions Renewal of Approved Information
site: http://1.usa.gov/1qKkMVi. Collection; OMB Control No. 1004–
and options for addressing long-term ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
fractionation. 0041
the Bill Heddles Recreation Center, 530
IV. Additional Resources Gunnison River Drive, Delta, CO 81416. AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Interior.
The Land Buy-Back Program for
Tribal Nations’ 2016 Status Report and Collin Ewing, Advisory Council ACTION: 60-Day notice and request for
additional information about the Buy- Designated Federal Official, 2815 H comments.
Back Program is available at: http:// Road, Grand Junction, CO 81506. Phone:
(970) 244–3049. Email: cewing@blm.gov. SUMMARY: In compliance with the
www.doi.gov/buybackprogram. In Paperwork Reduction Act, the Bureau of
addition, landowners can contact the Persons who use a telecommunications
device for the deaf may call the Federal Land Management (BLM) invites public
Trust Beneficiary Call Center at 888– comments on, and plans to request
678–6836 or visit their local Office of Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339 to
contact the above individual during approval to continue, the collection of
the Special Trustee for American information from applicants for grazing
Indians (OST) to ask questions about normal business hours. The Service is
available 24 hours a day, seven days a permits and leases, and from holders of
their land or purchase offers, and learn grazing permits and leases. The Office of
about financial planning resources. week, to leave a message or question
with the above individual. You will Management and Budget (OMB) has
More information and detailed assigned control number 1004–0041 to
frequently asked questions are available receive a reply during normal business
hours. this information collection.
at https://www.doi.gov/
buybackprogram/FAQ to help SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ten- DATES: Please submit comments on the
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
individuals make informed decisions member Council advises the Secretary proposed information collection by June
about their land. of the Interior, through the BLM, on a 12, 2017.
variety of planning and management ADDRESSES: Comments may be
Authority issues associated with the Resource submitted by mail, fax, or electronic
This notice is published pursuant to Management Plan (RMP) process for the mail.
the Claims Resolution Act of 2010, Dominguez-Escalante NCA and Mail: U.S. Department of the Interior,
Public Law 111–291, 124 Stat. 3064 Dominguez Canyon Wilderness. Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:45 Apr 11, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\12APN1.SGM 12APN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_17750/page/3.svg)
Document Created: 2017-04-12 00:23:31
Document Modified: 2017-04-12 00:23:31
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | The Listening Session will take place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on April 25, 2017, at the Tulalip Resort Casino's hotel in Tulalip, WA. | |
| Contact | Tribal staff can contact Michael Estes at (202) 642-0912 or at [email protected] with questions regarding Program implementation. Landowners should contact the Trust Beneficiary Call Center at 1-888-678-6836 with questions or to express their interest in Program participation. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The Service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 17681 |
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