The Department of the Interior has recommended to Congress enactment of legislation designed to amend the Indian Long-Term Leasing Act of 1955.
Present law is inadequate for development of Indian lands for recreational, business, residential and other non-agrarian uses, the Department said. Under its terms, provision is made for leasing Indian lands for periods of 25 years with a renewable option for an additional 25 years. Grazing leases under the same law are restricted to la-year terms, with provision for 25-year agricultural leases only in cases that involve making substantial improvements on the land.
A bill now before Congress provides for 55-year leasing authority for Indian lands, with the grazing and agricultural periods to remain the same.
As a change in the new bill, the Department proposes that leasing authority be extended to a minimum of 65 years for non-agrarian purposes and 40 years for farming leases.
The Department also has asked that 99-year leases be extended to the following reservations: The Pueblos of Pojoaque and Tesuque in New, Mexico; Hualapai, Yavapai, Havasupai, Gila River Pima, and San Carlos Apache Reservations of Arizona, and Tulalip, Swinomish and Lummi of Washington.
Since 1959, six exceptions have been made in the Long-Term Leasing Act of 1955, in order to permit 99-year leasing for maximum development. Those reservations already enjoying 99-year leasing authority under the 1955 act are: Agua Caliente (Palm Springs, Calif.); Navajo; Hollywood (Fla.) Seminole; Southern Ute; Fort Mojave; and Pyramid Lake. Congress has also authorized 99-year leases on the Colorado River, San Xavier, and Salt River Pima Maricopa Reservations by other legislation.
