1.Acceptance of alternative lands and extinguishment of claims
(a)For the purposes of this Act, the following definitions apply:
(1)The term alternative lands means those lands located in the city of Romulus, Michigan, and identified as alternative lands in the Settlement of Land Claim.
(2)The term Charlotte Beach lands means those lands in the Charlotte Beach area of Michigan and described as follows: Government Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Section 7, T45N, R2E, and Lot 1 of Section 18, T45N, R2E, Chippewa County, State of Michigan.
(3)The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
(4)The term Settlement of Land Claim means the agreement between the Tribe and the Governor of the State of Michigan executed on December 30, 2002, and filed with the Office of Secretary of State of the State of Michigan.
(5)The term Tribe means the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, a federally recognized Indian tribe.
(b)Land into trust; part of reservation
(1)The Secretary shall take the alternative lands into trust for the benefit of the Tribe within 30 days of receiving a title insurance policy for the alternative lands which shows that the alternative lands are not subject to mortgages, liens, deeds of trust, options to purchase, or other security interests.
(2)The alternative lands shall become part of the Tribe’s reservation immediately upon attaining trust status.
(c)The alternative lands shall be taken into trust as provided in this section as part of the settlement and extinguishment of the Tribe’s Charlotte Beach land claims, and so shall be deemed lands obtained in settlement of a land claim within the meaning of section 20(b)(1)(B)(i) of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. 2719(b)(1)(B)(i)).
(d)Upon the date of enactment of this Act, any and all claims by the Tribe to the Charlotte Beach lands or against the United States, the State of Michigan or any subdivision thereof, the Governor of the State of Michigan, or any other person or entity by the Tribe based on or relating to claims to the Charlotte Beach lands (including without limitation, claims for trespass damages, use, or occupancy), whether based on aboriginal or recognized title, are hereby extinguished. The extinguishment of these claims is in consideration for the benefits to the Tribe under this Act.
(e)Effectuation and ratification of agreement
(1)The United States approves and ratifies the Settlement of Land Claim.
(2)The provisions contained in the Settlement of Land Claim are unique and shall not be considered precedent for any future agreement between any Indian tribe and State.
(3)The Settlement of Land Claim shall be enforceable by either the Tribe or the Governor according to its terms. Exclusive jurisdiction over any enforcement action is vested in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan.