NE Minn. county endorses land sale to tribe
The Fond du Lac Band of Chippewa apparently will be able to repurchase some land within the northeastern Minnesota reservation.
St. Louis County commissioners on Tuesday dropped their opposition to selling county forest land to the band.
Commissioners voted 7-0 to sell two parcels of tax-forfeited land. The Duluth News Tribune reports final approval is expected March 2.
A year ago, the board ordered its land commissioner not to sell county forest land to the band. Opponents of the land sales contend placing land in Indian trust would reduce the county's taxable land.
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Fond du Lac supporters say the band should have the right to rebuild its reservation.
It's unclear if the county board will reverse its stance against tribal trust status for land purchased from private landowners.
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Information from: Duluth News Tribune
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