[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 60 (Thursday, May 5, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S2744]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Mr. Merkley):
  S. 908. A bill to provide for the addition of certain real property 
to the reservation of the Siletz Tribe in the State of Oregon; to the 
Committee on Indian Affairs.
  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce a bill that 
will address the cumbersome and time consuming process under existing 
law within the Bureau of Indian Affairs. This piece of legislation will 
streamline the land acquisition process for the Confederated Tribe of 
Siletz Indians. The current process for taking land into trust is not 
working, and I believe there are changes that need to be revived in the 
existing process. I am pleased to be joined by Senator Merkley in this 
effort.
  The original Siletz Coastal Treaty Reservation, established by the 
Executive Order on November 9, 1955 was diminished and then eliminated 
by the Federal Government's allotment and termination policies. Tribal 
members and tribal government have worked to rebuild the Siletz 
community since the Western Oregon Termination Act of August 1954 
stripped the Siletz people of Federal tribal recognition, and since 
then the tribe has been struggling to rebuild its land base. This 
legislation would work to facilitate the tribe's land into trust 
process within the original Siletz coast reservation to overcome the 
chronic Bureau of Indian Affairs, BIA, delay in processing 
applications. Instead of having two processes to bring each piece of 
former reservation land back into the reservation after purchase, one 
to bring the land into trust, and another, to make it reservation land, 
allows the tribe to combine the process.
  In this case, because the original reservation was disassembled, the 
tribe terminated and provided a very small land base upon restoration, 
virtually every tract of land the tribe seeks to place into trust today 
is considered by BIA pursuant to ``off reservation'' procedures. ``Off 
reservation'' requests would mean that the ``. . . secretary gives 
greater scrutiny to the tribe's justification of anticipated benefits . 
. .''
  By applying the on-reservation fee-to-trust criteria for lands within 
the Siletz Tribe's original reservation, this legislation allows the 
Tribe to take land into trust that will ultimately provide for vital 
tribal programs such as housing, government administration, and jobs--
for both tribal and county residents. In addition, the bill emphasizes 
the importance and the intent of the Indian Reorganization Act of 
1934--which allows the Secretary of Interior, in his or her discretion, 
to take land into trust for the benefit of an Indian tribe or of 
individual Indians. Essentially, reversing the loss of tribal lands and 
restoring some of the Tribe's original land base by allowing the Tribe 
to take land into trust under the same provisions as other Indian 
tribes within their reservations.
  This bill underscores the importance of economic stability and self-
determination for the confederated tribe of Siletz Indians and its 
members. Oregon Tribal communities suffer some of the greatest hurdles, 
whether it is health care, education, or crime on reservations, this 
bill would alleviate much of the cost and much needed resources 
associated with the bureaucratic hoops the tribe has had to jump 
through for years--which mean a significant savings of time and 
resources.
  As a result of the great working relationships, the Siletz Tribe has 
approached all six involved counties, and obtained their support. This 
legislation establishes and confirms a positive and beneficial 
partnership between the Federal Government, Siletz Tribe and local 
counties Lincoln, Lane, Tillamook, Yamhill, Benton, and Douglas.
  That is why I am introducing--the process has not sped up and we 
recognize the need for more action. It's always great to see Tribes and 
local counties work together to come up with proactive, inventive 
solutions for their communities to tackle challenging economic 
conditions.
  I want to express my thanks to all the citizens and community and 
tribal leaders who have worked to build their communities. They 
represent the pioneering spirit and vision that defines my state.

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