Bill Overview
Title: Advancing Tribal Parity on Public Land Act
Description: This bill addresses tribal interests in the disposal and management of public land. Specifically, the bill prohibits the federal government from disposing of public land or National Forest System land unless the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture (USDA) determines, through consultation with any interested Indian tribe, that such disposal would not impact the rights and interests of any interested tribe and would not impair access to a reservation. Interested Indian tribe means an Indian tribe with (1) historic, precontact, cultural, or religious connection to a cultural site located on the tract of public land; (2) a former reservation located on the tract of public land; or (3) treaty rights or other reserved rights associated with the tract of public land. Interior and USDA must, prior to conducting a sale of a tract of public land, notify all tribes of the availability of land for sale. Further, Interior and USDA must sell the tract of land to an interested Indian tribe that submits a bid at fair market value. Land acquired by an interested tribe shall be taken into trust by Interior for the benefit of the tribe. Additionally, the bill revises various public land provisions, including to (1) add the interests of tribes to the list of considerations for land exchanges, and (2) authorize tribes to acquire land for recreational and other public purposes. The bill also requires each public land advisory board to include at least one representative of an interested Indian tribe.
Sponsors: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals belonging to Native American tribes with historical and cultural interest in public lands
Estimated Size: 3000000
- The bill directly affects various Indian tribes, which are explicitly mentioned as key stakeholders.
- There are 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States.
- These tribes may have different levels of interest and connection to public lands, so not all may be affected the same way.
- The bill impacts tribes with historic, precontact, cultural, or religious connections to certain tracts of public land.
- It covers tribes with treaty or reserved rights related to the public land in question.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily aims to protect the rights and interests of Native American tribes, specifically those with historical, cultural, and treaty connections to public lands. Since there are 574 federally recognized tribes, the policy impacts tribes differently depending on their connection to specific public lands.
- Due to a budget limitation, the effect of the policy will be primarily on tribes in immediate need or with current legal wrangles over land. Thus, only a subset of the American Native population will feel the immediate effect, with potentially broader indirect effects over time.
- To reflect a range of perspectives, interviews include members from tribes with direct connections to public land, others from tribes with less direct ties, and some individuals who while Native American, are uninvolved with tribal government or land issues. I also include non-native individuals recognizing cultural importance but not directly involved.
- With budget constraints, the short-term effects will shape feasibility, implying policy implementation may begin with high-impact, low-cost sites, then expand as resources allow.
Simulated Interviews
Tribal Land Manager (Arizona)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a crucial step toward acknowledging the cultural rights of Native tribes to protect lands vital to our heritage.
- It ensures our voices are included in decisions that historically disregarded us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 5 |
Wildlife Biologist (Montana)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill is instrumental in balancing land conservation with cultural heritage preservation.
- It could improve relationships between tribes and the federal government.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Student (New Mexico)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While the policy seems positively directed, actual implementation is crucial. Many policies have failed in execution.
- Our lands deserve better protection and acknowledgment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Retired Army Veteran (Colorado)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This benefits cultural preservation even if I'm not directly affected.
- I hope it expands beyond just direct tribal lands in the future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Legal Advisor (Washington)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This law is a positive acknowledgment of historical injustices.
- Legal frameworks like this are needed to balance power dynamics.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Rancher (Nevada)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand the cultural significance, but there needs to be a balance with economic and public needs.
- Ranching relies on predictable rules for federal land use.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Community Organizer (Alaska)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Being involved in such decisions marks a revolutionary improvement in tribal-federal relations.
- Indigenous wisdom is critical in land management.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Park Ranger (California)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill can ensure the ecological presence and culture are prioritized in park management.
- It's a step in the right direction for sustainable land practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired Forest Service Worker (Idaho)
Age: 76 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Including tribal perspectives enriches our understanding and safeguarding of these lands.
- I hope this doesn't lead to confusion over land management roles.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cultural Anthropologist (South Dakota)
Age: 36 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Always believed indigenous management of lands could benefit public land management.
- This policy strengthens community-engagement tactics.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 3: $16000000 (Low: $11000000, High: $21000000)
Year 5: $17000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $22000000)
Year 10: $19000000 (Low: $14000000, High: $24000000)
Year 100: $30000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $35000000)
Key Considerations
- The administrative burden and costs of consulting with interested tribes and managing transfers of land into trust will be significant.
- The potential for increased economic activity on newly acquired tribal lands, which could result in new job opportunities and development projects.
- How land trust arrangements with tribes will align with existing state and federal land management policies.