[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 62 (Monday, May 3, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4582-S4583]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. INHOFE:
  S. 944. A bill to amend Public Law 105-188 to provide for the mineral 
leasing of certain Indian lands in Oklahoma; to the Committee on Indian 
Affairs.


          mineral leasing of certain indian lands in oklahoma

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, for too long, economic development in 
Indian country has been hindered by antiquated rules and regulations, 
many dating back to before the turn of the century. Many American 
Indians continue to struggle, denied by bureaucracy the opportunity to 
take steps to improve their position. I am proposing legislation today 
that would reverse one of these situations.
  Under current law, Indian lands owned by more than one person require 
the consent of 100 percent of the owners before mineral development can 
go

[[Page S4583]]

forward. Oftentimes, this fractionated property is owned by over one 
hundred people; it is difficult, if not impossible, to locate all the 
owners. Once found, developers must obtain their unanimous consent. As 
you can imagine, this creates a significant and often insurmountable 
obstacle for leasing or other development. Last year, Congress lowered 
this requirement for the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold 
Indian Reservation to a majority, which more closely resembles 
regulations for non-Indian land. By loosening the consent requirements, 
these tribes have found the right balance between economic progress and 
protection of landowners' rights.
  I am proposing to extend last year's legislation to seven Oklahoma 
tribes: the Comanche, Kiowa, Apache, Fort Sill Apache, Delaware, and 
the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes. Oil and gas are the cornerstone of 
Oklahoma's economy, but these tribes have by and large been left out of 
this industry because of the stringent consent statutes. Increased 
access to their own land would greatly facilitate mineral development, 
bringing increased economic opportunity. These tribes and their members 
will now be able to undertake oil and gas exploration which was 
previously not possible. This will represent a significant advance 
toward greater economic empowerment, breaking out of the constraints 
now imposed on these tribes.
  Common sense dictates that the first step of self-sufficiency is 
being allowed to use the resources you already own. This proposal will 
be equitable and beneficial to all parties involved. I look forward to 
working with my colleagues on this and other such legislation that 
would help American Indians achieve greater economic independence.
                                 ______