Crow Revenue Act: Tribe to Gain Mineral Rights and Land in Montana Deal

The Crow Revenue Act is a focused piece of legislation designed to transfer significant mineral rights and land to the Crow Tribe of Montana. This includes taking certain mineral interests into trust, specifically those related to the Bull Mountains Lease and Tracts, and the Hope Family Tracts. Here’s the breakdown:

Shifting Ground

The core of this Act is about transferring ownership. It mandates that, within 60 days of the law's enactment, the Secretary of the Interior must accept the relinquishment of the Bull Mountains Lease (Bureau of Land Management Lease MTM97988, dated June 1, 2012) if the current Lessee offers it back. Once that lease is relinquished, the Act requires two major land and mineral rights transfers. First, the Hope Family Trust must convey all their mineral rights in the Hope Family Tracts—approximately 4,660 acres of subsurface interests within the Crow Reservation in Big Horn County—to the Crow Tribe in a single transaction (SEC. 3). Second, the U.S. government will convey all its rights, title, and interest in the Bull Mountains Tracts (approximately 4,530 acres of subsurface interests and approximately 940 acres of surface interests in Musselshell County) to the Hope Family Trust. This transfer is contingent on the lease relinquishment and is subject to any valid existing rights (SEC. 3).

What It Means for the Crow Tribe

If the Tribe requests it, the mineral interests they receive will be held in trust by the United States for their benefit (SEC. 3). This is a big deal because it means these interests are shielded from state taxation (SEC. 3). Think of it like a protected investment that can generate revenue for the Tribe without being chipped away by state taxes. For example, if the Tribe decides to develop these mineral resources, any income generated could directly fund tribal services, infrastructure, or economic development projects. The Act also makes it clear that any money or benefits the Tribe gets from this deal won't reduce their eligibility for other federal programs or services they're already entitled to (SEC. 4). This is important because it ensures the Tribe doesn't get penalized for gaining economic ground through this Act.

Bigger Picture and Potential Issues

Before any of these transfers happen, the Crow Tribe has to notify the Secretary of the Interior about a revenue-sharing agreement they have with the Hope Family Trust for developing the mineral and surface interests in the Bull Mountains Tracts (SEC. 3). This suggests there will be some collaboration in developing these resources. While the Act aims to benefit the Crow Tribe, there's a practical aspect to consider: the Hope Family Trust also stands to gain from the conveyance of the Bull Mountains Tracts. While this is the nature of the bill, it will be important to make sure the revenue-sharing agreement is equitable. The Act also withdraws the tracts from public land laws, mining laws, and mineral leasing laws while the conveyances are pending, subject to valid existing rights, which essentially puts a temporary hold on other potential uses or claims (SEC. 3). This gives the Tribe and the Hope Family Trust a clear path to developing these resources without outside interference, at least for the time being.