Laverdure Announces BIA Tribal Consultation Meetings on Draft Part 162 Leasing Regulations
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Del Laverdure announced that the Bureau of Indian Affairs will be holding tribal consultation meetings for tribal leaders to review and provide input on draft regulations on leasing in Indian country.
The draft regulations would establish subparts to 25 CFR Part 162 (Leases and Permits) addressing residential leasing, business leasing and wind and solar resource permitting and leasing on Indian trust lands.
“By providing transparent procedures for obtaining Secretarial approval of leasing documents, including specific procedures for wind and solar resource development, we hope to streamline and expedite the leasing process, advance economic development, and spur renewable energy development in Indian Country,” Laverdure wrote in a letter dated February 15, 2011 to tribal leaders conveying copies of the draft regulations.
Also announced was the BIA’s schedule for the consultation meetings (all times are local):
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Thursday, March 17, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Reservation Economic Summit (RES) 2011, Las Vegas Hilton, 3000 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, Nev.
Thursday, March 31, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Bldg., One Federal Dr., Rm. G-110, Ft. Snelling, Minn.
Wednesday, April 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th St., N.W., Albuquerque, N.M.
Comments and recommendations may be submitted during the meetings, by e-mail at consultation@bia.gov, or by U.S. Postal Service, overnight carrier or hand-delivery to: Del Laverdure, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C St., N.W., MS-4141-MIB, Washington, D.C. 20240.
To view the February 15, 2011, letter to tribal leaders and the draft regulations, visit the Indian Affairs website.
