Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Amendments Act of 2025

The Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Amendments Act of 2025 would transfer certain federal land from the Chippewa National Forest in Cass County, Minnesota, to the Department of the Interior for the benefit of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Specifically, the bill would require the Department of Agriculture to transfer land that records show was sold without the unanimous consent of the rightful tribal landowners.

To implement this transfer, the USDA would work with the tribe to identify which parcels should be transferred. The agency would then substitute alternative National Forest System land on an acre-for-acre basis, prioritizing land adjacent to or near existing Leech Lake trust lands and culturally important areas whenever possible. The transfers would occur on a rolling basis as land is identified and surveyed.

The bill would require the U.S. Forest Service to conduct public engagement and accept public comment throughout the implementation process. This legislation has passed the Senate and is currently being debated on the floor of the House of Representatives. If enacted, the bill would restore tribal land holdings in Minnesota and address historical land transactions that occurred without proper tribal authorization.