The Northern Cheyenne Tribe can now lease its land for business and renewable energy without further vetting from the U.S. federal government under a 2012 law aimed at strengthening tribal autonomy.
A federal notice published Monday finalizes the tribe’s regulations for business, solar and wind power leasing on its land in south-central Montana.
Tribal nations have been able to fast track leasing agreements since Congress passed the Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Home Ownership Act. The law allows tribes to manage land without further review from the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs and Department of the Interior.
Northern Cheyenne along with the Fort Belknap Indian Community is now among more than 70 tribes to set leasing regulations under the law.
