A bill to provide for the efficient development of the natural resources of the Navajo and Hopi Reservations for the benefit of its residents to assist the members of the Navajo and Hopi Tribes in becoming economically fully self-supporting, to resolve a land dispute between the Navajo and Hopi Tribes.
Navajo - Hopi Development Act - States that it is the object of this Act to solve the land dispute between the Navajo and Hopi Tribes in a manner which would be in harmony with such a program of reservation development.
Title I: The Navajo - Hopi Development Commission - Establishes a Navajo Hopi Development Commission to be composed of one Federal member appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, two members appointed by the Navajo Tribal Council, and two members appointed by the Hopi Tribal Council.
Enumerates the functions of the Commission, including to: (1) analyze the results of the programs initiated on the reservations under the Act of April 19, 1950, and other Federal laws; (2) prepare plans for the economic and social development of the reservations; and (3) conduct investigations and studies of the resources of the reservation. Directs the Commission to make recommendations to the President and the Congress.
Authorizing to be appropriated to the Commission not to exceed $500,000 for fiscal year 1975, and not to exceed $500,000 for each of the four succeeding fiscal years. Enumerates the administrative powers of the Commission.
Title II: Development of Programs - Directs the Commission to: (1) prepare a comprehensive plan for the construction of development highways and access roads on reservations; (2) prepare a comprehensive plan for the proper utilization of the agricultural and water resources of the reservations; and (3) enter into agreements with the tribes and occupiers of land providing for land stabilization, erosion control, and reclamation through changes in land use, and conservation treatment. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes.
Title III: Adjustment of Interests Between Hopi and Navajo Tribes - Expresses the findings of Congress. States that immediately following its organizational meeting the Commission shall commence an investigation to determine: (1) which lands within the joint-interest area were on July 22, 1958, used by Hopi Indians for residential or agricultural (including grazing) purposes and which lands were on that date used by the Navajo Indians for such purpose; and (2) which lands within the portion of the joint-interest area which on July 22, 1958, were used and occupied for residential or agricultural (including grazing) purposes by Navajo Indians were on or about July 22, 1958, used by Hopi Indians for the purposes of wood cutting and gathering, obtaining coal, gathering plants and plant products, visiting ceremonial shrines, and hunting.
Provides that following the issuance of the appraisal report, the Secretary of the Interior shall cause to be served on the Navajo Tribal Council and the Hopi Tribal Council the form of an order specifying those lands held in trust by the United States for the Navajo and Hopi Indian Tribes and fixing the amount of compensation to which the Hopi Tribe shall be entitled.
Provides for the judicial partition of the Moencopi area.
Introduced in Senate
Referred to Senate Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.
checking server…
Ask anything about this bill. The AI reads the full text to answer.
Enter to send · Shift+Enter for new line