Tribal land efforts dealt a blow

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration has rescinded a Clinton-era rule that would have made it easier for tribes to restore lost land to their reservations.

Neal McCaleb, assistant Interior secretary for Indian affairs, said parts of the rule were unclear and it lacked processing standards. Since it was impractical to rescind only part of the rule, he said, the new administration will build a new rule from scratch.

The rule was opposed by municipalities and state attorneys general and governors who complained that, since the tribes wouldn’t have to pay taxes on the land, it could erode their tax base. There were also concerns that the tribes could build casinos or low-income housing on the land.

"All along we have recognized that a balance must be struck between the needs of the tribes to acquire land … and the concerns of those governments, communities and individuals who are affected by land-into-trust requests," McCaleb said.

A notice of the rule’s withdrawal was published Friday in the Federal Register.

Actions by the federal government in the late 19th and early 20th centuries removed about two-thirds of tribal land from their reservations. Now, through economic development — much of it driven by casinos — the tribes are seeking to buy back that land and restore their reservations.

The Clinton administration established a rule that would have set deadlines and streamlined the process for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to rule on a tribe’s application to restore land to a reservation — a process that can now take years.

Ron Allen, vice president of the National Congress of American Indians, said the demise of the rule was disappointing.

"The biggest issue that is emerging from the folks that are fighting the process is quite frankly they are afraid of Indians," he said. "They’re afraid of Indian power, they don’t trust tribes and they don’t trust tribal government, and it really has racist overtones."

When the Bush administration took office, it postponed implementation of hundreds of Clinton-era decisions and rules, including the Indian land rule, for further review.

On the Net: BIA: www.doi.gov/bureau-indian-affairs.html

National Congress of American Indians: www.ncai.org

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Everett Municipal Building on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett council approves $111 million construction of sewer project

The Port Gardner Storage Facility, in the works for more than a decade, will help prevent overflows of the city sewer system.

Two students walk along a path through campus Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. A group of nearly 20 community groups are planning to study how to make it easier for young people to find jobs. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Goal for Everett coalition: Make it easier for young people to find jobs

The organizations hope the months-long process will improve access to resources for young people.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.