CCP 02-22-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The U.S. Department of the luterior (DOl) is requesting the Department of the Army to forward their Request for Transfer of Excess Real and Related Personal Property (GSA Form 1334) to the Office of Management and Budget to approve an exception to the 100 percent reimbursement requirement, i.e. a "no cost" transfer of the property. The authority for the acquisition is in accordance with Section 105 (I) (3) of P.L. 93-638, the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, and subsequent technical amendment pertaining to real property within P.L. 101-644 states "the appropriate Secretary may . . . acquire excess or surplus Government personal or real property for donation to an Indian tribe or tribal organization if the Secretary determines the property is appropriate for use by the tribe or tribal organization for a purpose of which a self-determination contract or grant agreements is authorized under this Act. 1I The plan states six rationales for the tribe's procurement of TCAAP: (I) Increase land base of community for tribal member residences -- "The land base of the Community as noted is mostly on a floodplain and limited in size. There is a waiting list of about 80 families who would like move [sic] to the Cornmunity if there were land available. . . . The Arden Hills Site will provide an opportunity to create another community with affordable, safe housing for tribal members." (2) Health concerns -- "Resident tribal members and non-resident tribal members considering returning to the Community have concerns about the health of their families living so close to a nuclear power generating plant and higb voltage power lines. Since this is the only community in the United States located so close to a nuclear power generating plant (residences within 3 blocks), the studies are not defInitive on the effects of such close proximity to human beings over time. . . . Further, the public who come to game at the tribal business enterprise bave concerns about the safety of being so close to a nuclear power generating plant and high voltage power lines," (3) Safety concerns -- include limited road access to the community; fears about a potential incident at the nuclear plant; potential for railroad accidents; potential for barge accidents; and potential for "incidents of civil disobedience" to "cause safety risks to tribal member residents and patrons of tribal business enterprises" "due to limited land base on the island and limited entrances/exits." (4) Developing the tribe's economic potentia1-- "The use of the Arden Hills site wonld provide an area to attract and develop other businesses. High stakes gaming may not be around for a very long time, so the tribe is anxious to find other ways to generate revenues to care for their members and plan for future generations according to the Dakota culture. A second gaming enterprise on the Arden Hills site may assist in generating income to develop infrastructure and begin pursuing other economic development opportunities. . .. The [present] casino and bingo operation has reduced unemployment and welfare rolls in the surrounding area." (5) Protection of tribal assets.. concerns that potential incidents (flooding, a nuclear incident, bridge orroad repairs) could damage or destroy existing business. (6) Protection of the natural resources and burial mounds on Prairie Island -- by reducing the threat of overdevelopment and alleviating pressure on the island ecosystem. To dste, no action has been taken regarding this request. Camiros, LtdJSEH, Inc.lLHDL. Ltd. TCAAP Framework Plan Page 13 Chapter I I .- I I - - I I I .. - I I I - I .- - I