Encumbrances of Tribal Land-Contract Approvals

The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), is issuing a Final Rule that states which types of contracts or agreements encumbering tribal land are not subject to approval by the Secretary of the Interior under the Indian Tribal Economic Development and Contract Encouragement Act of 2000. The regulation also provides, in accordance with the Act, that Secretarial approval is not required (and will not be granted) for any contract or agreement that the Secretary determines is not covered by the Act. Finally, for contracts and agreements that are covered by the Act, the regulation sets out mandatory conditions for the Secretary's approval.