
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 25USC1774]

 
                            TITLE 25--INDIANS
 
               CHAPTER 19--INDIAN LAND CLAIMS SETTLEMENTS
 
    SUBCHAPTER VIII--SENECA NATION (NEW YORK) LAND CLAIMS SETTLEMENT
 
Sec. 1774. Findings and purposes


(a) City of Salamanca and congressional villages

    The Congress finds and declares that:
        (1) Disputes concerning leases of tribal lands within the city 
    of Salamanca and the congressional villages, New York, have strained 
    relations between the Indian and non-Indian communities and have 
    resulted in adverse economic impacts affecting both communities.
        (2) Some of the significant historical events which have led to 
    the present situation include--
            (A) beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, several 
        railroads obtained grants or leases of rights of way through the 
        Allegany Reservation without Federal authorization or approval 
        and on terms which did not adequately protect the interests of 
        the Seneca Nation;
            (B) after construction of these railroads, Allegany 
        Reservation lands were leased to railroad employees, persons 
        associated with the railroads, residents of the city and farmers 
        without Federal authorization or approval and on terms which did 
        not adequately protect the interests of the Seneca Nation;
            (C) none of these leases had Federal authorization or 
        approval and, after the courts ruled these leases invalid, 
        Congress enacted the Act of February 19, 1875 (18 Stat. 330), 
        confirming existing leases of Allegany Reservation lands, 
        authorizing further leasing by the Seneca Nation, and making the 
        confirmed leases renewable for a twelve year period;
            (D) the Act of September 30, 1890 (26 Stat. 558), amended 
        the 1875 Act by substituting a renewal term of ``not exceeding 
        ninety-nine years'' for the original renewal term of twelve 
        years; and
            (E) in 1952 the Seneca Nation filed a claim with the Indian 
        Claims Commission against the United States for use of improper 
        lease fees, and in 1977 a settlement was reached regarding such 
        claim, providing for the payment of $600,000 to the Seneca 
        Nation covering the period beginning in 1870 to the end of 1946.

        (3) An analysis of historic land values indicates that the 
    payments made under the original lease agreement and under the 
    settlement described in paragraph (2)(E) were well below the actual 
    lease value of the property.
        (4) The approaching expiration of the Salamanca and 
    congressional village leases on February 19, 1991, has created 
    significant uncertainty and concern on the part of the city of 
    Salamanca and Salamanca residents, and among the residents of the 
    congressional villages, many of whose families have resided on 
    leased lands for generations.
        (5) The future economic success of the Seneca Nation, city, and 
    congressional villages is tied to the securing of a future lease 
    agreement.
        (6) The Federal and State governments have agreed that there is 
    a moral responsibility on the part of both governments to help 
    secure a fair and equitable settlement for past inequities.

(b) Purpose

    It is the purpose of this subchapter--
        (1) to effectuate and support the Agreement between the city and 
    the Seneca Nation, and facilitate the negotiation of new leases with 
    lessees in the congressional villages;
        (2) to assist in resolving the past inequities involving the 
    1890 leases and to secure fair and equitable compensation for the 
    Seneca Nation based on the impact of these leases on the economy and 
    culture of the Seneca Nation;
        (3) to provide a productive environment between the Seneca 
    Nation and lessees for negotiating the leases provided for under the 
    Agreement;
        (4) to provide stability and security to the city and the 
    congressional villages, their residents, and businesses;
        (5) to promote the economic growth of the city and the 
    congressional villages;
        (6) to promote economic self-sufficiency for the Seneca Nation 
    and its members;
        (7) to promote cooperative economic and community development 
    efforts on the part of the Seneca Nation and the city; and
        (8) to avoid the potential legal liability on the part of the 
    United States that could be a direct consequence of not reaching a 
    settlement.

(Pub. L. 101-503, Sec. 2, Nov. 3, 1990, 104 Stat. 1292.)

                       References in Text

    Act of February 19, 1875 (18 Stat. 330), referred to in subsec. 
(a)(2)(C), is act Feb. 19, 1875, ch. 90, 18 Stat. 330, as amended, which 
is not classified to the Code.
    Act of September 30, 1890 (26 Stat. 558), referred to in subsec. 
(a)(2)(D), is act Sept. 30, 1890, ch. 1132, 26 Stat. 558, which is not 
classified to the Code.


                               Short Title

    Section 1 of Pub. L. 101-503 provided that: ``This Act [enacting 
this subchapter] may be cited as the `Seneca Nation Settlement Act of 
1990'.''

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in section 1774d of this title.
