Bill > HR411

This bill provides compensation to the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community for land that was taken without just compensation within the L'Anse Indian Reservation in Michigan. Specifically, the bill addresses two historical land transfers: 2,743 acres of "Reservation Swamp Lands" transferred under the 1850 Swamp Land Act and 1,333 to 2,720 acres of "Reservation Canal Lands" transferred under the 1852 Canal Land Act. The bill authorizes a $33.9 million payment to the Tribe to settle these land claims, which the Tribe can use for governmental services, economic development, natural resources protection, and land acquisition, but not for gaming purposes. Upon receiving the payment, the Tribe will extinguish all claims to these lands, and current landowners will receive clear title to the property. The legislation also acknowledges the historical context of the land transfers, including treaties from 1842 and 1854 that established the reservation, and recognizes that the land transfers occurred without proper compensation to the Tribe, negatively impacting their cultural, religious, and economic rights. The bill aims to provide a fair and equitable settlement that benefits both the Tribe and current landowners by avoiding potentially costly and protracted litigation.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/411/all-info