Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act

This legislation aims to transfer approximately 76 acres of historic land and easements in Monroe County, Tennessee, to the federal government to be held in trust for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The properties involved include the Sequoyah Museum, the Chota Memorial, and the Tanasi Memorial. By placing these lands into trust, the bill would provide the tribe with permanent access to and management of sites that are culturally and historically significant to their heritage, supporting ongoing cultural programs and preservation efforts.

While the land would be held for the tribe, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) would retain specific rights to manage the surrounding river system, including the ability to flood certain areas for river control and power development. The bill requires that the TVA be compensated for any lost hydropower capacity resulting from future development on the land and mandates that the TVA remains responsible for environmental remediation. To address local concerns regarding land use, the bill explicitly prohibits any form of gambling or gaming activities on these specific properties.