Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site Trust Act of 2005
Key claim: The bill would have the federal government take a Kiowa County, Colorado ranch owned by the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes into trust and manage it permanently as part of the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site.
Abstract
(S57 · 109th Congress) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site Trust Act of 2005 - Authorizes the United States to take into trust certain land (formerly known as the Dawson Ranch) in Kiowa County, Colorado, owned by the Cheyenne and Arapaho Indian Tribes of Oklahoma (property). Directs the Tribes to convey title to the property to the United States. Declares that all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the property (except specified facilities) are to be held in trust by the United States for the Tribes. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) acquire by donation the improvements in fee; and (2) construct a facility on the property only after obtaining the agreement of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, and the Northern Arapaho Tribe. Permits the use of Federal funds to be expended only on improvements or facilities that are owned in fee by the United States. Directs the Secretary to cause a survey to be conducted by the Office of Cadastral Survey of the Bureau of Land Management of the boundary lines and the description to be published in the Federal Register. Requires the property to be administered in perpetuity by the Secretary as part of the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, only for historical, traditional, cultural, or other uses in accordance with the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2000. Latest action (2005-07-26): Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Why this matters
The bill would have the federal government take a Kiowa County, Colorado ranch owned by the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes into trust and manage it permanently as part of the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site.