Indian Issues: Compensation Claims Analyses Overstate Economic Losses
RCED-91-77
Published: May 21, 1991. Publicly Released: May 21, 1991.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the economic analyses supporting the Garrison Unit Joint Tribal Advisory Committee's (JTAC) recommendation that Indian tribes at the Fort Berthold Reservation and Standing Rock Reservation receive additional financial compensation for land the federal government acquired in 1949 and 1958 for a water resources project, focusing on: (1) the adequacy of the analyses conducted by tribal consultants; and (2) alternative methods of establishing a basis for financial compensation.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| If Congress decides that additional compensation for the tribes is warranted, Congress should not rely on the JTAC recommendation for additional financial compensation. |
Closed – Implemented
|
Legislation (P.L. 102-575) was passed that provides compensation of $239.8 million. This amount is within the range GAO had suggested and $119.8 million less than the minimum amount recommended by JTAC. |
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Topics
Appropriated fundsClaims settlementCompensation claimsConsultantsEconomic analysisFinancial analysisIndian landsNative American claimsReal property acquisitionCompensation