Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act would place several specified federal lands in Monroe County, Tennessee, on the shores of Tellico Reservoir, into trust for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The parcels include the Sequoyah Museum property, a “Support” parcel, and Chota/Tanasi memorial lands (with an 86-foot radius around the Chota Memorial), plus two permanent easements for land below the 820-foot contour (Chota peninsula and the Chota-Tanasi trail). The bill requires updated maps within a year of any transfer, sets contour-based boundaries and allowances related to TVA flood control and river management, and directs the lands be used primarily to memorialize and interpret Cherokee history and culture, with some support uses for the Tribe’s programs. It also imposes conditions such as a prohibition on class II or III gaming, TVA oversight of certain activities, liability protections for the United States, and a mandatory environmental hazard assessment by TVA prior to transfer.
Key Points
- 1Lands into trust for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: specific TVA lands in Monroe County (Sequoyah Museum property, Support property, and Chota/Tanasi memorial lands) identified by acreage and mapped references, with a 86-foot radius around the Chota Memorial included in the Chota Memorial land area.
- 2Permanent easements under trust: two easements below the 820-foot contour (Chota peninsula and Chota-Tanasi Trail) taken into trust, with maps to be revised post-transaction.
- 3Authorized uses: trust lands to be administered under federal trust laws and principally used for memorializing and interpreting Cherokee history/culture and for recreational programs, including memorials, education programs, and related facilities.
- 4TVA relationship and river management: land use rights may not interfere with TVA river control, reservoir management, or flood control; TVA retains authority to flood certain lands and manage water levels; TVA personnel may enter lands for purposes related to river control and development.
- 5Protections and requirements: prohibition on class II/III gaming; TVA remains responsible for environmental remediation and hazard assessments prior to transfer; the United States is shielded from certain liabilities related to flooding or reservoir operations.