S. 622: Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Amendments Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Amendments Act of 2025, proposes changes to the management and transfer of Federal land to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in Minnesota. Here’s what the bill aims to accomplish:

Transfer of Additional Federal Land

The bill modifies existing provisions regarding the transfer of land to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. It allows for the inclusion of additional Federal land located in the Chippewa National Forest in Cass County, Minnesota. The amendments state that:

• The Federal land transferred must be those that were sold without the unanimous consent of rightful landowners.
• Land transfers will be done through an agreement between the Secretary of Agriculture and the Tribe, substituting alternative National Forest land on an acre-for-acre basis when required, with preferences for lands adjacent to existing Leech Lake trust lands.

Implementation of the Land Transfers

The bill allows for the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer land to the Secretary of the Interior on an ongoing basis as land is identified and surveys are completed. The goal is to streamline the process of transferring lands that are culturally significant to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.

Reaffirmation of Non-Tribal Rights

Additionally, the bill reaffirms the existing rights of non-Tribal members regarding hunting, fishing, and recreation. It ensures that these rights will not change due to the amendments made by this legislation.

Public Engagement

The Secretary of Agriculture is also required to ensure public engagement and comment during the implementation of these amendments, adhering to applicable laws and regulations.

Summary of Key Changes

• Amends existing laws about land transfer to include additional Federal lands without prior owner consent.
• Enables ongoing land transfers based on agreements with the Tribe.
• Confirms that non-Tribal members’ access to hunting, fishing, and recreational rights remains unchanged.
• Mandates public engagement during the implementation process.

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