Getting your player ready...
WASHINGTON — Ahead of a meeting Friday between President Barack Obama and hundreds of American Indian leaders, the administration unveiled new rules for tribal lands that officials say will expedite homebuilding and energy development.
Land on American Indian reservations cannot be bought and sold because it is held in trust by the federal government on behalf of the tribes. If a tribe or tribe member wants to build a house or use land for multifamily housing, a business or industry, the Interior Department must approve a “lease” or mortgages.
The changes would set time limits for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to approve such leases. If the bureau does not meet the deadlines, leases would automatically be approved.
