Legislation would provide deeply needed added land

December 8, 2008

Washington, D.C.  – The Elko Indian Colony would expand by 375 acres under new legislation introduced today by Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign.

The legislation would make a reasonable expansion of the Elko Colony by putting Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land near the Colony into trust for the Te-moak Tribe. The expansion lands are just north of the Elko Colony’s current lands and west of the Ruby View Golf Course. Both the City of Elko and Elko County have added their support to the effort to expand the Elko Colony. The legislation will protect the City’s rights-of-way for roads and water infrastructure.

“The Elko Indian Colony has remained the same size for more than three quarters of a century,” Reid said. “This bill will help address the Colony’s need for land for additional housing and commercial development. I appreciate that the tribe, the city and the county have worked so closely on this proposal.”

“I am pleased that the county, city, and tribe were able to come together to work out an agreement on this tribal expansion,” Ensign said. “It is my hope that this additional land will help the Elko Indian Colony meet its needs for additional housing and economic development and will bring more businesses and jobs into the Elko area.”

Links to additional information:

To read the entire text of the Elko Indian Colony Expansion Act of 2008, click here

To read Senator Reid’s introduction statement of the Elko Indian Colony Expansion Act of 2008, click here

Links to maps:

Click here to view a map of the Elko Indian Colony expansion lands.

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