Heinrich Applauds Progress On New Tribal Land Rules To Expedite Home Building And Energy Development

WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 30, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S Rep. Martin Heinrich (NM-1) applauds the Department of the Interior for proposing arule to modify regulations governing the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ (BIA) process for approving the lease of lands the federal government holds in trust for tribes and individuals. The proposed reform identifies specific processes – with enforceable timelines – through which the BIA must review leases. The regulation establishes separate, simplified processes for residential, business, and renewable energy development, so that, for example, a lease for a single family home is distinguished from a large solar energy project.

“I am pleased that the Department of the Interior and the Administration recognizes the critical need to streamline the approval process for housing, commercial development, and renewable energy projects in Indian Country,” said Rep. Heinrich. “Representing tens of thousands of Native Americans in central New Mexico and working closely with the leadership of our surrounding tribes, I know well that Native American leaders want what we all do: to secure the well-being of their people, to advance their opportunity, and to create good jobs and spur economic growth. The role of federal government should be to partner with them in advancing those goals, not be an impediment or point of contention.”

Since 2009, Rep. Heinrich has championed legislation to reform Indian land leasing regulations to streamline the approval process for home ownership, expedite economic development, and spur renewable energy development in Indian Country. The bill, the Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership (HEARTH) Act, unanimously passed the House Committee on Natural Resources on November 17, 2011.

Specifically, the HEARTH Act would expedite the lease approval process by allowing tribal governments to approve trust land leases directly, rather than waiting for approval from the BIA.

“We can put the dream of owning a home or business on tribal land within reach of Native families,” said Rep. Heinrich. “This bill would cut through bureaucratic red tape and open doors to homeownership for Native American families in New Mexico and across the country and spur economic development in Indian Country.”

Rep. Heinrich’s legislation has widespread support from pueblos, tribes and housing organizations across the country. “The HEARTH Act of 2011 will go a long way in strengthening tribal self-determination and tribal economies at the same time. We know the time frame for individual tribal members to receive a home-site lease is arduous and can be as long as three years under the current Bureau of Indian Affairs process, but we anticipate that these improvements in leasing and enhanced tribal control over surface leasing will help more tribal members get into homes quick,” said National American Indian Housing Council Chairwoman Cheryl A. Causley. “The NAIHC strongly supports the HEARTH Act of 2011 because it respects and fosters Indian tribal decision-making, expedites what can often be lengthy Federal administrative processes, and will improve the delivery of Federal housing assistance and expand economic opportunity in tribal communities.”