Schrader Bills to Streamline Process for Tribes to Take Land Into Trust Have Legislative Hearing

Statement

Two pieces of legislation introduced by Congressman Kurt Schrader to streamline the process for the Grand Ronde and Siletz tribes to take land into trust were heard yesterday in the Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs in the House Natural Resources Committee. Members of the Grand Ronde, Siletz and Coos Tribes testified alongside Lincoln County Commissioner Terry Thompson.

H.R. 726 would streamline the process for the Grand Ronde tribe to take land into trust. H.R. 6141 would streamline the process for the Siletz tribe to take land into trust. Both bills are designed to make it easier for each tribe to restore land within its original reservation boundary that existed prior to termination by the federal government.

"I am grateful for the extraordinary work my friends from the Grand Ronde and Siletz tribes and our partners have done to get this legislation where it is today," said Schrader. "The committee hearing was helpful in bringing light to the significant obstacles our tribes encounter as they continue the difficult task of restoring their historic lands. I was encouraged by the positive comments from Chairman Young and Ranking Member Lujan during the hearing, but there is still much work to be done to move these bills through the legislative process. This is about self-determination for our tribes and I remain committed to streamlining the process and reducing the bureaucratic hurdles they face as they work to rebuild their communities."

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