The conflict over the 9,500-acre land in Oklahoma has reached a new level of intensity in Washington, D.C. In an effort to halt the transfer of this land, which comprises a USDA research facility and valuable oil and gas reserves, Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) has introduced a provision in the farm bill. The provision seeks to prohibit any future administrative transfers and to establish that congressional approval would be necessary for any land transfer to take place.
The Oklahoma and Central Plains Agricultural Research Center, a land highly valued by Representative Lucas, is at the center of attention. He has commended this research facility for its crucial contributions. The provision is aimed at expediting agricultural and climate research by eliminating the necessity for recurring moratorium extensions. Nonetheless, this development has caused apprehension among the USDA and the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, who have been striving to reclaim this land for more than a century and a half.
A spokesperson from the USDA criticized the provision proposed by Lucas, stating that it undermines the decades of efforts and history of the tribes. The spokesperson emphasized the department’s commitment to working with the tribes in order to find a solution that is practical and mutually beneficial. Governor Reggie Wassana of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes expressed frustration, pointing out that recent legislative actions appear to disregard their longstanding claims and the potential for collaboration.
The elimination of a previous time limitation on land transfer in the current farm bill draft has sparked concerns among tribal leaders and advocates. They fear that this change could potentially hinder their ongoing efforts to reclaim the land, as it would now require Congress’s involvement for any future transfers.
The tribes have put forward a proposal to utilize a portion of the land for ongoing research purposes, while also transforming other areas into an entertainment venue. Additionally, they have been investigating the economic possibilities associated with the oil and gas reserves located on the land. With the farm bill deadline approaching, the USDA is under increasing pressure to acknowledge the tribes’ concerns and potentially engage in negotiations to find a mutually beneficial resolution before the new provisions come into effect.
