Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act

This legislation, known as the "Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act," mandates that certain federal lands and permanent easements in Monroe County, Tennessee, be taken into trust by the United States for the benefit of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians . Specifically, it transfers approximately 76.1 acres of land managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) into trust, including properties designated for the Sequoyah museum, support facilities, and the Chota and Tanasi memorials. Additionally, permanent easements totaling about 19.9 acres are placed into trust, covering areas like the Chota peninsula and the Chota-Tanasi trail. The lands taken into trust are primarily intended for memorializing and interpreting the history and culture of Indians, as well as for recreational activities. This includes supporting the Sequoyah birthplace memorial and museum, memorials to Chota and Tanasi, and a reinterment site for Cherokee remains. The designated support property will house classrooms, cultural interpretation programs, and administrative offices for the trust properties and programs, while easement areas are for recreational trails. The bill establishes specific conditions for the use of these trust lands, particularly concerning the Tennessee Valley Authority's ongoing operations. The TVA retains the right to temporarily and intermittently flood lands below the 824-foot contour elevation and to draw down or fluctuate Tellico Reservoir levels as needed for its management. Furthermore, the TVA is solely responsible for environmental remediation requirements and assessing hazardous substances on the lands prior to their acquisition into trust. While the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians gains ownership and use rights, these must not interfere with the TVA's statutory program for river control and development. The Tribe may construct certain water use facilities and non-habitable structures with TVA consent. Notably, the legislation explicitly prohibits any Class II or Class III gaming activities on the lands taken into trust.