Central ND News

Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak and Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer have reintroduced the North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act. This legislation aims to enhance the development of state-owned lands and minerals in North Dakota by authorizing the state to exchange lands within Tribal Reservations with federal lands of equal value. The bill, which passed the Senate last Congress, seeks to streamline its advancement in the 119th Congress.

Congresswoman Fedorchak stated, "This legislation is a commonsense solution to a longstanding problem. By allowing North Dakota to exchange fragmented state-owned lands within Tribal Reservations for federal lands of equal value, we’re unlocking new opportunities for responsible energy development while ensuring tribes have greater control over their own lands."

Senator Hoeven emphasized the economic benefits, saying, "Energy development on state and federally-held lands not only plays a critical role in supporting economic growth and our nation’s energy security, but it produces significant revenue to help fund education, infrastructure and a wide range of priorities."

Senator Cramer described the act as beneficial for all parties involved: "Our Trust Lands Completion Act is a win-win-win solution for North Dakota, tribes, and the federal government. It’s proof not every transaction in Washington requires a loser."

Joseph Heringer, North Dakota Trust Lands Commissioner, highlighted the educational benefits: "This legislation will promote more productive trust lands to enhance North Dakota K-12 education funding."

Mark Fox, Chairman of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation expressed support: "We were glad to help shape how the draft bill would restore some Reservation land previously taken from us."

Currently, over 130,000 acres of minerals and 31,000 surface acres within Tribal Reservations are underutilized due to existing federal laws that limit land exchanges between state and federal governments. The proposed legislation addresses this by enabling equal-value transactions that respect valid existing rights without impacting Indian treaty rights or National Grasslands.