Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 94 Part 2.djvu/423

 PUBLIC LAW 96-401—OCT. 9, 1980

94 STAT. 1701

Public Law 96- 401 96th Congress An Act Relating to certain leases involving the Secretary of the Interior and the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation.

Oct. 9, 1980 [S. 2126]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Northern United States of America in Congress assembled. That the Congress Cheyenne finds that—Indian (1) certain mineral leases and prospecting permits entered into Reservation, between the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council and private leases. parties in 1969, 1970, and 1971, presently encumber approximately 56 per centum of the lands within the boundaries of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation; (2) due to the likelihood of permanent and large-scale physical and social disruption of their tribal community that would result from development under such leases and permits, the Northern Cheyenne Indian Tribe has been and continues to be opposed to any development under these leases and permits; (3) although such leases and permits were approved by representatives of the Secretary of the Interior, there are senous questions whether such approval is lawful and consistent with the trust responsibility of the Secretary of the Interior to "act in the best interests" of Indian tribes and individuals; (4) the present impasse with regard to such leases and permits, unless resolved, can only result in expensive and time-consuming litigation that does not hold out the likelihood of a satisfactory solution that would be fair to all parties; and (5) cancellation of such leases and permits, and providing a fair remedy to any party or parties whose property interest, invested in good faith, would be adverselv affected by such cancellation, appears to be the most direct and effective manner within which to resolve this impasse. SEC. 2. For the purpose of entering into a cancellation agreement Cancellation under section 3 of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter agreement referred to as the "Secretary") is authorized and directed to negotiate negotiations. with the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and each party holding a lease, permit, or right to a lease issued under the provisions of the Act of May 11, 1938 (52 Stat. 347; 25 U.S.C. 396a), as follows:

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