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UN forum pushes governments to act on Indigenous rights
Governments worldwide are being urged to fully implement a 2007 declaration that protects Indigenous Peoples’ rights to land, governance and cultural autonomy
USDA land consolidation program seeks comments, also program consultation
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Here is some information about the Loans to Purchasers of Highly Fractionated Land program that was authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill. The rules are being written currently and the USDA Farm Service Agency is accepting comments. Additionally, I’m sharing some USDA Tribal Relations consultation dates scheduled now to Dec. 14.
Here is a link to the Farm Bill.
The program is in Sec. 5501 (Title V Credit).
Individuals can send recommendations or comments to connie.holman@wdc.usda.gov or fax: (202) 720-6797.
Some of the questions in particular that the agency hopes to receive input about are: 1. How does FSA determine that there is a valid purchase agreement which consolidates all interest in the property? 2. Should FSA consider taking security other than the real estate being purchased for the loan? 3. Rather than taking a lien on the real estate being financed, should FSA consider tribal guarantee as security for the loan? 4. Should the program be restricted to land for agricultural use? 5. What should the BIA’s involvement be in this program? Any other related issues anyone wants to comment on are also welcome.
Consultations:
The USDA will be conducting Tribal Consultations in six meetings. USDA’s Office of Tribal Relations has sent a letter of invitation to tribal leaders. The consultations cover about 70 programs implemented by 6 USDA agencies: Food & Nutrition Service; Natural Resources Conservation Service; Farm Service Agency; Rural Development; Animal, Plant Health Inspection Service; and Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration. Here are the meeting details:
October 28 – 29, 2010 Rapid City, SD Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza 505 North Fifth Street Day 1 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Day 2 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
November 3 – 4, 2010 Oklahoma City, OK Oklahoma City Marriott 3233 Northwest Expressway Day 1 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Day 2 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
November 8 – 9, 2010 Minneapolis, MN Sheraton Bloomington Hotel 7800 Normandale Blvd. Day 1 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Day 2 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
November 22 – 23, 2010 Seattle, WA Crowne Plaza Seattle 1113 Sixth Avenue Day 1 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Day 2 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
November 29 – 30, 2010 Nashville, TN Loews Vanderbilt Hotel Nashville 2100 West End Ave. Day 1 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Day 2 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
December 1 – 2, 2010 Albuquerque, NM Hilton Albuquerque 1901 University Blvd. NE Day 1 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Day 2 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
December 13 – 14, 2010* Anchorage, AK Anchorage Marriott Downtown 820 West 7th Street Day 1 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Day 2 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
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Chris Bieker, APR Outreach Coordinator USDA Farm Service Agency 316 W. Boone, Ste 568 Spokane, WA 99201 (509) 323-3014 chris.bieker@wa.usda.gov
Jodi Rave
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