Why aren “Indian lands” considered part of the Federal land base doesn the Federal government have responsibility for these lands?
Indian lands are designated as such by virtue of Indian treaties, statutes, court orders, Executive Orders, judicial decisions or other agreements. They are not considered part of the Federal land base because the Federal government only holds these lands in trust for Indian tribes and Indian individuals. They are, rather, considered part of the “Indian land base” over which the Federal government maintains a fiduciary responsibility of protection.
Related Questions
- Can the Federal Government actually own land, i.e the public lands which are managed by the various agencies, such as U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management?
- Why aren "Indian lands" considered part of the Federal land base doesn the Federal government have responsibility for these lands?
- What is the federal governments responsibility for land claims?
