United States Code, Title 25, Chapter 19, Subchapter X
Nov. 2, 1994. [H. R. 5220.] [Public Law 103-445.] 25 USC 1776.
Section 1776. Findings and purpose
(a) Findings
Congress finds the following:
(1) Under the treaty between the United States of America and
the Crow Tribe of Indians concluded May 7, 1868 (commonly known
as the "Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868"; 15 Stat. 649), the
eastern boundary of the Crow Indian Reservation was established
as the 107th meridian for approximately 90 miles from the
Yellowstone River to the boundary between Montana and Wyoming.
(2) Under Executive orders issued in 1884 and 1900, the western
boundary of the Northern Cheyenne Reservation was established as
the 107th meridian. The 107th meridian was intended to be the
common boundary between the Crow Reservation and Northern
Cheyenne Reservation for approximately 25 miles.
(3) From 1889 through 1891, a survey was conducted of the
eastern boundary of the Crow Reservation. The 1891 survey line
strayed to the west, and resulted in the exclusion from the Crow
Indian Reservation of a strip of land of approximately 36,164
acres. Approximately 12,964 acres of such strip of land were
included in the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Deposits of low
sulphur coal underlie the land excluded from the Crow Indian
Reservation, including the land included in the Northern Cheyenne
Indian Reservation.
(4)(A) The erroneous nature of the survey was not discovered
for several decades. Meanwhile, the areas along the 107th
meridian to the north and south of the Northern Cheyenne Indian
Reservation were opened to settlement in the late nineteenth
century and early part of the twentieth century. Patents were
issued to non-Indian persons and to the State of Montana for most
of the surface land and a significant portion of the minerals in
these areas between the 107th meridian and the 1891 survey line.
(B) The 12,964 acres included in the Northern Cheyenne
Reservation have been treated as part of the Northern Cheyenne
Reservation and occupied by the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and the
Northern Cheyenne allottees, and their successors in interest.
(5) Legislation to resolve the 107th meridian boundary dispute
was introduced in Congress in the 1960’s and 1970's, and again in
1992, but no such legislation was enacted into law.
(b) Purpose
The purpose of this subchapter is to settle the 107th meridian
boundary dispute created by the erroneous survey of the eastern
boundary of the Crow Indian Reservation made by the Federal
Government described in subsection (a)(3) of this section.
Section 1776a. Definitions
As used in this subchapter:
(1) Crow Tribe
The term "Crow Tribe" means the Crow Tribe of Indians, the
duly recognized governing body of the Crow Indian Reservation.
(2) Disputed area
The term "disputed area" means the approximately 36,164 acres
of land, including the minerals, located between the 107th
meridian on the east and the 1891 survey line on the west from
the Yellowstone River on the north to the boundary between the
State of Wyoming and the State of Montana on the south.
(3) 1891 survey
The term "1891 survey" means the survey of the eastern
boundary of the Crow Reservation conducted by the United States
Government from 1889 through 1891.
(4) 1891 survey line
The term "1891 survey line" means the erroneous boundary line
resulting from the survey of the 107th meridian which was
completed in 1891.
(5) Northern Cheyenne Tribe
The term "Northern Cheyenne Tribe" means the Northern
Cheyenne Tribe of Indians, with the Northern Cheyenne Tribal
Council as the duly recognized governing body of the Northern
Cheyenne Indian Reservation.
(6) 107th meridian boundary dispute
The term "107th meridian boundary dispute" means the dispute
resulting from the disparity between the location of the 107th
meridian and the location of the 1891 survey line.
(7) 107th meridian escrow fund
The term "107th meridian escrow fund" means the revenues that
arise from, or are derived from, parcel number 2, including all
accrued interest on such revenues, which are held by the Bureau
of Indian Affairs in an escrow account as of November 2, 1994.
(8) Parcel number 1
The term "parcel number 1" means the area, encompassing
approximately 11,317 acres, bounded on the south by the
Montana-Wyoming border, on the east by the 107th meridian, on the
north by the extension to the west of the southern boundary of
the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, and on the west by the
1891 survey line.
(9) Parcel number 2
The term "parcel number 2" means the area, encompassing
approximately 12,964 acres, bounded on the south by the extension
to the west of the southern boundary of the Northern Cheyenne
Indian Reservation, on the east by the 107th meridian, on the
north by the extension to the west of the northern boundary of
the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, and on the west by the
1891 survey line.
(10) Parcel number 3
The term "parcel number 3" means the area, encompassing
approximately 2,469 acres, bounded on the south by the extension
to the west of the northern boundary of the Northern Cheyenne
Indian Reservation, on the east by the 107th meridian, on the
north by the northern boundary of the Crow Indian Reservation,
and on the west by the 1891 survey line.
(11) Parcel number 4
The term "parcel number 4" means the area, encompassing
approximately 9,415 acres, bounded on the south by the northern
boundary of the Crow Indian Reservation, on the east by the 107th
meridian, on the north by the midpoint of the Yellowstone River,
and on the west by the 1891 survey line.
(12) Public lands
The term "public lands" means any land or interest in land
owned by the United States (without regard to the means by which
the United States acquired ownership of the land or interest in
land) and administered by the Secretary through the Bureau of
Land Management.
(13) Royalties received and retained by the United States
The term "royalties received and retained by the United
States" means the royalties derived from minerals owned by the
United States that the United States retains after all payments
from the royalties have been made to the State of Montana or any
unit of local government of the State of Montana.
(14) Secretary
The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior.
(15) Settlement Agreement
The term "Settlement Agreement" means the agreement between
the Secretary, on behalf of the United States and the Crow Tribe,
that provides for the resolution of all claims held by the Crow
Tribe arising from the 107th meridian boundary dispute.
(16) Undisposed of coal
The term "undisposed of coal" means coal that has not been
conveyed to private parties or to the State of Montana by the
United States.
(17) Undisposed of surface lands
The term "undisposed of surface lands" means surface land
that has not been conveyed to private parties or to the State of
Montana by the United States.
(18) Undisposed of oil, gas, coal methane, or other minerals
The term "undisposed of oil, gas, coal methane, or other
minerals" means oil, gas, coal methane, or other minerals
(excluding coal) that have not been conveyed to private parties
or to the State of Montana by the United States.
Section 1776b. Settlement Agreement
(a) Execution
Subject to the terms and conditions of this subchapter, the
Secretary shall enter into the Settlement Agreement with the Crow
Tribe.
(b) Ratification
Subject to the conditions set forth in section 1776g(a) of this
title, the United States hereby approves, ratifies, and confirms
the Settlement Agreement, to the extent that such Settlement
Agreement does not conflict with this subchapter.
(c) Modification
The terms and conditions of the Settlement Agreement may be
modified by mutual agreement of the Crow Tribe and the Secretary if
such modification -
(1) is not inconsistent with this subchapter; and
(2) does not diminish or impair any right or benefit secured to
the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, the Northern Cheyenne allottees, or
their successors in interest by or pursuant to any provision of
this subchapter.
(d) Enforcement
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Settlement Agreement
shall be subject to the enforcement provisions under chapter 7 of
title 5.
(2) Additional enforcement
If, with respect to the enforcement of the Settlement
Agreement, the remedies available under the provisions referred
to in paragraph (1) do not provide adequate or complete relief,
the Settlement Agreement shall be subject to the enforcement
provisions under section 1505 of title 28.
Section 1776c. Settlement terms and conditions and extinguishment of claims
(a) Property within parcel number 1
(1) In general
With respect to the property within parcel number 1, the
following provisions shall apply:
(A) The boundary of the Crow Indian Reservation shall be the
107th meridian.
(B) Title to the undisposed of coal of such parcel shall be
vested in the United States in trust for the sole use and
benefit of the Crow Tribe and shall be recognized as part of
the Crow Indian Reservation.
(C) Title to the undisposed of surface lands of such parcel
shall be vested in the United States in trust for the sole use
and benefit of the Crow Tribe and shall be recognized as part
of the Crow Indian Reservation.
(D) Title to the undisposed of oil, gas, coal methane, or
other minerals of such parcel shall be vested in the United
States in trust for the sole use and benefit of the Crow Tribe
and shall be recognized as part of the Crow Indian Reservation.
(2) Prohibition
Nothing in this subchapter or the Settlement Agreement may
alter, diminish, disturb, or cause to be divested any right,
title, or interest of any person or entity in any land, coal,
oil, gas, coal methane, or mineral within parcel number 1 that is
based on the 1891 survey line, except for the specific rights
that are vested in the United States for the sole use and benefit
of the Crow Tribe pursuant to subparagraphs (B) through (D) of
paragraph (1).
(3) Waivers and releases
The following waivers and releases shall be included in the
Settlement Agreement:
(A) A disclaimer and relinquishment by the Crow Tribe of all
right, title, claim, or interest in all the land and minerals
within parcel number 1, except for the rights, titles, and
interests recognized as beneficially owned by the Crow Tribe
and as part of the Crow Indian Reservation in subparagraphs (B)
through (D) of paragraph (1).
(B) A release by the Crow Tribe of all persons and entities,
including the United States, from any liability arising from,
or related to, the 1891 survey and the subsequent occupancy and
use of parcel number 1.
(b) Property within parcel number 2
(1) In general
With respect to the property within parcel number 2, the
following provisions shall apply:
(A) The boundary between the Crow and Northern Cheyenne
Indian Reservations shall be the 1891 survey line.
(B) All surface lands and minerals of such parcel shall
constitute part of the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.
(C) All surface lands, including all rights appurtenant to
the surface lands, of such parcel shall be vested in the United
States in trust for the sole use and benefit of the Northern
Cheyenne Tribe, except that surface lands that have been
allotted shall be recognized as held in trust for, or owned in
fee by (as the case may be), the Northern Cheyenne allottees or
their successors in interest.
(D) The oil, gas, coal, coal methane, and other minerals,
including all rights appurtenant to such minerals, of such
parcel shall be vested in the United States in trust for the
sole use and benefit of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe.
(2) Waivers and releases
The following waivers and releases shall be included in the
Settlement Agreement:
(A) A disclaimer and relinquishment by the Crow Tribe of all
right, jurisdiction, title, claim, or interest in the lands and
minerals within parcel number 2, including all rights
appurtenant to such land and minerals.
(B) A release by the Crow Tribe of all persons and entities,
including the United States, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, the
Northern Cheyenne allottees and their successors in interest,
from any liability arising from, or related to, the 1891 survey
and the subsequent occupancy and use of parcel number 2.
(3) Enforcement
The provisions of this subsection may be enforced, in law or in
equity, by the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, Northern Cheyenne
allottees, and their successors in interest, in accordance with
their respective interests.
(c) Property within parcel number 3 and parcel number 4
(1) In general
With respect to the property within parcel number 3 and parcel
number 4, the boundary of the Crow Indian Reservation shall be
the 1891 survey line.
(2) Prohibition
Nothing in this subchapter or the Settlement Agreement may
alter, diminish, disturb, or cause to be divested any right,
title, or interest of any person or entity in any land, coal, or
mineral within parcel number 3 or parcel number 4 that is based
on the 1891 survey line.
(3) Waivers and releases
The following waivers and releases shall be included in the
Settlement Agreement:
(A) A disclaimer and relinquishment by the Crow Tribe of all
right, jurisdiction, title, claim, or interest in the lands and
minerals situated within parcel number 3 and parcel number 4.
(B) A release by the Crow Tribe of all persons and entities,
including the United States, from any liability arising from,
or related to, the 1891 survey and the subsequent occupancy and
use of parcel number 3 and parcel number 4.
(d) Exchange of public lands
With respect to the land exchanges with the State of Montana and
private landowners made under this subchapter the following
provisions shall apply:
(1) In general
(A) The Secretary shall negotiate with the State of Montana for
the purpose of exchanging public lands within the State of
Montana for State trust lands within the Crow Reservation having
a total value substantially equal to the value of the surface
estate of the approximately 46,625 acres of State trust lands
obtained by the State of Montana pursuant to the Act of February
22, 1889 (commonly known as the "Montana Enabling Act"; 25
Stat. 676, chapter 1150), and the Act entitled "An Act to provide
for the allotment of lands of the Crow Tribe for the distribution
of tribal funds and for other purposes" approved June 4, 1920
(commonly known as the "Crow Allotment Act"; 41 Stat. 751,
chapter 224) within the Crow Indian Reservation and the disputed
area.
(B) The exchange described in subparagraph (A) shall be in
accordance with the exchange procedures set forth in section 1716
of title 43.
(C) In determining the fair market value of the lands described
in subparagraph (A), the parties to the exchange shall give due
consideration to the value of improvements on the lands.
(D) The Secretary shall ensure that lands exchanged pursuant to
this paragraph as part of the settlement of the 107th Meridian
boundary dispute made pursuant to this subchapter shall be
selected in such manner that the financial impact on local
governments, if any, will be minimized.
(E) The Secretary shall provide such financial or other
assistance to the State of Montana and to the Crow Tribe as may
be necessary to obtain the appraisals, and to satisfy
administrative requirements, necessary to accomplish the
exchanges made pursuant to subparagraph (A).
(F) Upon approving an exchange made pursuant to this paragraph,
the Secretary shall -
(i) receive title to the State trust lands involved in the
exchange on behalf of the United States; and
(ii) transfer title to the public lands disposed of pursuant
to the exchanges with the State of Montana by such means of
conveyance as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(G) Title to the State trust lands acquired pursuant to the
exchanges made with the State of Montana pursuant to this
paragraph shall be vested in the United States in trust for the
sole use and benefit of the Crow Tribe and shall be recognized as
part of the Crow Indian Reservation.
(2) Requirement for exchanges
(A) In carrying out the exchanges with the State of Montana
pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, during a period
of at least 5 years beginning on the date on which the Settlement
Agreement becomes effective, give first priority to the exchange
of public lands within the State of Montana for State trust lands
owned by the State of Montana as of November 2, 1994.
(B) Subject to subparagraph (C), if, for any reason, after the
expiration of the period specified in subparagraph (A), the
exchanges of the State trust lands identified in paragraph (1)
have not provided the Crow Tribe with a total of 46,625 acres of
surface lands within the boundaries of the existing Crow Indian
Reservation (including parcel number 1), the Secretary shall, at
the request of, and in cooperation with, the Crow Tribe, develop
and implement a program to provide the Crow Tribe with additional
land within the Crow Indian Reservation (including parcel number
1) through land exchanges with private landowners.
(C) The total value of -
(i) the value of the lands exchanged and acquired for the
Crow Tribe pursuant to paragraph (1), and
(ii) the value of the lands exchanged and acquired for the
Crow Tribe pursuant to this paragraph,
shall not exceed the value of the surface estate of the 46,625
acres of land identified in paragraph (1)(A).
(D) In carrying out a program developed pursuant to this
paragraph, the Secretary may exchange public lands within the
State of Montana for private lands of substantially equal value
within the boundaries of the existing Crow Indian Reservation in
accordance with section 1716 of title 43.
(E) In determining the fair market value of the lands described
in subparagraph (D), the parties to an exchange made pursuant to
subparagraph (D) shall give due consideration to the value of
improvements on the lands.
(F) If the Secretary obtains private lands pursuant to
subparagraph (D), the Secretary shall transfer title to such
lands to the Crow Tribe.
(G) Title to any private or public lands transferred to the
Crow Tribe pursuant to this paragraph shall -
(i) be vested in the United States in trust for the sole use
and benefit of the Crow Tribe; and
(ii) be recognized as part of the Crow Indian Reservation, if
such lands are located within the boundaries of the Crow Indian
Reservation.
(H) The Crow Tribe shall assist in obtaining prospective
willing parties to exchange private lands within the Crow Indian
Reservation for public lands within the State of Montana pursuant
to this paragraph.
(e) Crow Tribal Trust Fund
The Settlement Agreement shall include provisions governing the
distribution of interest income to the Crow Tribe from the Crow
Tribal Trust Fund pursuant to the terms and conditions described in
section 1776d of this title.
Section 1776d. Establishment and administration of Crow Tribal Trust Fund
(a) Establishment
(1) In general
There is established in the Treasury of the United States a
trust fund to be known as the “Crow Tribal Trust Fund.”
(2) Availability of amounts in the Crow Tribal Trust Fund
Amounts in the Crow Tribal Trust Fund shall be available,
without fiscal year limitation, to the Secretary for distribution
to the Crow Tribe in accordance with subsection (d) of this
section.
(b) Contributions
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2) and the requirements of section 1776h
of this title -
(A) on or before November 30, 1994, the Secretary of the
Treasury shall deposit into the Crow Tribal Trust Fund an
amount equal to the amounts of royalties received and retained
by the United States during fiscal year 1994 from the East
Decker, West Decker, and Spring Creek coal mines; and
(B) commencing with fiscal year 1995 and for such period
thereafter as may be necessary, the Secretary and the Secretary
of the Treasury shall make necessary and proper arrangements
for the monthly payment, transfer, or deposit (or any
combination thereof) into the Crow Tribal Trust Fund of the
royalties received and retained by the United States for the
immediately preceding month from the East Decker, West Decker,
and Spring Creek coal mines in the State of Montana for the
life of such mines, including any extensions of the existing
leases for such mines and any expansions of such mines to
nearby and adjacent federally owned coal deposits, as specified
in the Settlement Agreement.
(2) Amount of royalties
The total amount of royalties described in paragraph (1) that
are paid, transferred, or deposited into the Crow Tribal Trust
Fund shall not exceed, in the aggregate, $85,000,000, excluding -
(A) any interest earned on moneys in the Crow Tribal Trust
Fund; and
(B) the funds transferred to the Suspension Accounts pursuant
to section 1776h of this title.
(3) Payments of royalties received and retained by the United
States
Subject to paragraph (2) and the requirements of section 1776h
of this title, the royalties received and retained by the United
States from the East Decker, West Decker, and Spring Creek coal
mines shall be paid, transferred or deposited into the Crow
Tribal Trust Fund not later than 30 days after the date on which
the royalties are due and paid.
(4) Additional payments
The Federal Government shall make payments, in addition to the
payments referred to in paragraph (3), from the royalties
received and retained by the United States from other coal mines
within the State of Montana into the Crow Tribal Trust Fund in an
amount equal to any lost interest income (as determined by the
Secretary), if any portion of the sums described in paragraph (3)
are not paid, transferred or deposited into the Crow Tribal Trust
Fund within the 30-day period prescribed in paragraph (3).
(c) Investment
At the request of the Secretary, the Secretary of the Treasury
shall invest all sums deposited into, accruing to, and remaining
in, the Crow Tribal Trust Fund in accordance with section 161a of
this title.
(d) Distribution of interest
(1) In general
Only the interest received on funds in the Crow Tribal Trust
Fund shall be available for distribution by the Secretary to the
Crow Tribe for use for education, land acquisition, economic
development, youth and elderly programs or other tribal purposes
in accordance with plans and budgets developed and approved by
the Crow Tribe and approved by the Secretary.
(2) Requirements for distribution of interest
Commencing with fiscal year 1996 and for each fiscal year
thereafter, without fiscal year limitation, the interest received
on monies in the Crow Tribal Trust Fund shall be available for
distribution under this subsection only if -
(A) the United States and the Crow Tribe enter into the
Settlement Agreement; and
(B) the requirements of section 1776g of this title relating
to the approval and execution of the Settlement Agreement are
satisfied.
(3) Prohibition
No portion of the Crow Tribal Trust Fund or the interest earned
on the Crow Tribal Trust Fund may be distributed to members of
the Crow Tribe on a per capita basis.
(e) Use of interest for economic development
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Crow Tribe may,
subject to approval by the Secretary, assign the right of the Crow
Tribe to the interest earned on monies in the Crow Tribal Trust
Fund to a third party in connection with loans made for economic
development projects on or near the Crow Indian Reservation.
(f) Limitation
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no portion of the
principal of the Crow Tribal Trust Fund shall be available for
withdrawal or disbursement or used for any purpose other than the
purposes specified in this section and section 1776h of this title.
Section 1776e. Eligibility for other Federal services
No payments made or benefits conferred pursuant to this
subchapter shall result in the reduction or denial of any Federal
services or programs to any tribe or to any member of a tribe to
which the tribe or member of the tribe is entitled or eligible
because of the status of the tribe as a federally recognized Indian
tribe or the status of a member of such tribe as a member.
Section 1776f. Exchanges of land or minerals
(a) In general
(1) Subject to approval by the Secretary, the Crow Tribe may
exchange any land or minerals to which its title is recognized in
or obtained pursuant to this subchapter for other land or minerals
of substantially equivalent value within the Crow Indian
Reservation (including parcel number 1).
(2) Lands or minerals received by the Crow Tribe in any exchange
made pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be -
(A) vested in the United States in trust for the sole use and
benefit of the Crow Tribe; and
(B) recognized as part of the Crow Indian Reservation.
(b) Ownership by non-Indians
Any land or minerals received by a person who is not an Indian in
an exchange referred to in subsection (a) of this section shall be
owned in fee.
Section 1776g. Applicability
(a) In general
This subchapter shall take effect upon the occurrence of the
following conditions:
(1) The Settlement Agreement is approved and executed by the
Secretary.
(2) The Settlement Agreement is approved and executed by the
Crow Tribe.
(3) The Settlement Agreement and the releases and waivers
required by section 1776c of this title are approved and duly
executed by the Crow Tribe in accordance with the requirements
and procedures set forth in the constitution of the Crow Tribe.
(4) The Settlement Agreement becomes effective in accordance
with the terms and conditions specified in the Settlement
Agreement.
(b) Approval of releases and waivers
The United States hereby approves and confirms the releases and
waivers required by section 1776c of this title.
Section 1776h. Escrow funds
(a) In general
As soon as practicable after November 2, 1994, the Secretary
shall make distributions from the 107th meridian escrow fund as
follows:
(1) One-half of the fund shall be distributed to the Crow
Tribe.
(2) One-half of the fund shall be distributed to the Northern
Cheyenne Tribe.
(3) The receipt and acceptance by a tribe of funds distributed
under this section shall be deemed to be -
(A) a disclaimer, relinquishment and waiver by such tribe of
all right, claim or interest in the 107th meridian escrow fund;
and
(B) a release by such tribe of all persons and entities,
including the United States, from any liability arising from,
or related to, the establishment and administration of the
107th meridian escrow fund.
(b) Establishment of Suspension Accounts
As soon as practicable after the Settlement Agreement is executed
and approved pursuant to this subchapter, the Secretary of the
Treasury shall establish in the Treasury of the United States two
interest bearing accounts to be known respectively as the “Crow
Tribal Suspension Account” and the “Northern Cheyenne Tribal
Suspension Account” (collectively referred to in this section as
the “Suspension Accounts”), consisting of -
(1) such amounts as are transferred to the Suspension Accounts
under subsection (c) of this section; and
(2) any interest earned on investments of amounts in the
Suspension Accounts under subsection (e) of this section.
(c) Contributions to Suspension Accounts
(1) In general
Beginning with fiscal year 1995, and ending on the date on
which the total amount deposited pursuant to this subsection into
the Suspension Accounts is equal to $200,000 for each such
account (as specified in subsection (d) of this section), the
Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury shall make necessary
and proper arrangements for the monthly payment, transfer, or
deposit (or any combination thereof) into each of the Suspension
Accounts of an amount equal to one-half of the royalties received
and retained by the United States for the immediately preceding
month, as determined in accordance with section 1776d(b)(1) of
this title, by the date specified under section 1776d(b)(3) of
this title.
(2) Subsequent deposits
At such time as the amount deposited pursuant to this
subsection into the Suspension Accounts is equal to $200,000 for
each such account (as specified in subsection (d) of this
section), in accordance with section 1776d(b)(1) of this title,
the Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury shall thereafter
deposit any remaining amounts determined under section
1776d(b)(1) of this title in the Crow Tribal Trust Fund
established under section 1776d(a) of this title.
(d) Limitation
The Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury shall not
transfer more than a total amount equal to $200,000 to each of the
Suspension Accounts from the amounts determined under section
1776d(b)(1) of this title.
(e) Investment
All sums deposited in, accruing to and remaining in the
Suspension Accounts shall be invested by the Secretary and the
Secretary of the Treasury in interest bearing deposits and
securities in accordance with the Act of June 24, 1938 (52 Stat.
1037, chapter 648; 25 U.S.C. 162a).
(f) Withdrawals and termination
(1) In general
(A) Beginning on the date that is 5 years after November 2,
1994, the Crow Tribe and the Northern Cheyenne Tribe may each
submit a duly authorized request to the Secretary for the
withdrawal of all of the funds from the Suspension Account of the
tribe established under subsection (b) of this section.
(B) Not later than 60 days after receiving a request for the
distribution of funds from a Suspension Account made by a tribe
under subparagraph (A) -
(i) the Secretary shall, in cooperation with the Secretary of
the Treasury, withdraw and distribute such funds in accordance
with such request; and
(ii) the Secretary of the Treasury shall terminate the
Suspension Account.
(2) Other means of termination
With respect to a Suspension Account established under
subsection (b) of this section that is not terminated pursuant to
paragraph (1), at such time as the corpus and the accrued
interest of the Suspension Account of the Crow Tribe or the
Northern Cheyenne Tribe is approximately equal to the amount
specified in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this
section, the Secretary of the Treasury shall terminate the
Suspension Account and the Secretary of the Interior shall
distribute the funds from the Suspension Account to the tribe.
Section 1776i. Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868
Except for the adjustment to the eastern boundary of the Crow
Indian Reservation, nothing in this subchapter or in the Settlement
Agreement shall affect or modify the terms and conditions of the
treaty between the United States of America and the Crow Tribe of
Indians concluded May 7, 1868 (commonly known as the “Fort Laramie
Treaty of 1868”; 15 Stat. 649).
Section 1776j. Satisfaction of claims
The benefits available to the Crow Tribe under the terms and
conditions of this subchapter and the Settlement Agreement shall
constitute full and complete satisfaction of all claims by the Crow
Tribe and the members of the Crow Tribe arising from or related to
the erroneous survey of the 107th meridian described in section
1776(a)(3) of this title.
Section 1776k. Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of the
Interior such sums as are necessary to carry out this subchapter.