Use and Distribution of the San Carlos Apache Tribe Development Trust Fund and San Carlos Apache Tribe Lease Fund

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is amending its regulations by adding a new part in response to the San Carlos Apache Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act. The Act sets up two funds for the benefit of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, namely, the San Carlos Apache Tribe Development Trust Fund and the San Carlos Apache Tribe Lease Fund. This regulation sets out the criteria and processes involved in the distribution of principal and income for the Trust Fund and the distribution of income accrued for the Lease Fund, as administered by the BIA. The Act required the Secretary to promulgate rules no later than 30 days after December 31, 1999. The Secretary consulted extensively with the Tribe on the content of the rule from January through July 2000. Since the rule is more than one year late in being promulgated, the Secretary is issuing this rule as a Final Rule that will become effective upon publication.