Federal land swap hands Crow Tribe mineral rights in Montana

What does this do?

HR 725 arranges a land swap in Montana in which the Hope Family Trust transfers its mineral rights to roughly 4,660 acres inside the Crow Reservation to the Crow Tribe, and in exchange the federal government transfers the Bull Mountains Tracts, approximately 4,530 acres in Musselshell County, to the Hope Family Trust. The entire exchange must be completed within 60 days of the bill becoming law. Before the transfer closes, an existing coal lease on the Bull Mountains Tracts must be relinquished by the current leaseholder, and the Crow Tribe and the Hope Family Trust must agree in writing on how to share any future revenue if the swapped lands are developed.

Who does it affect?

The Crow Tribe gains mineral rights held in federal trust on its behalf, shielded from sale or taxation by the state of Montana, with no impact on existing federal services or programs available to the Tribe or its members. The Hope Family Trust gains mineral and surface rights in the Bull Mountains area, and residents of Musselshell and Big Horn Counties may see future effects depending on whether the transferred lands are developed.

Why does it matter?

The mineral rights acquired by the Crow Tribe will be held in federal trust, meaning they cannot be sold or taken without federal approval and cannot be taxed by Montana. Development of the transferred lands in either county could produce future effects for local residents, though the bill does not specify or guarantee any particular outcome.

Where does it stand?