Kelly, Sinema Introduce Bill Transferring Ownership of Forest System Land to Tonto Apache Tribe
The Senators’ bill would transfer 3,060 acres of culturally significant land to the Tonto Apache Tribe
Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema introduced legislation to transfer 3,060 acres of U.S. Forest Service land to the Tonto Apache Tribe—located near Payson, Arizona—to be held in trust as part of their existing reservation.
“Transferring this land to the Tonto Apache Tribe is about respecting their history and ensuring their community has the resources to grow and thrive,” said Kelly. “This bill will give them more control over land that holds deep cultural significance, strengthening their community and connection to their heritage.”
“My legislation transferring culturally significant land to the Tonto Apache Tribe represents our continued work honoring and respecting Tribal sovereignty and protecting culturally significant land,” said Sinema.
Kelly and Sinema’s legislation supports the Tonto Apache Tribe’s proposal to expand their reservation. This land is culturally significant to the tribe and will enable them to build additional housing for community members to reside on the reservation.
Throughout their time in Congress, Kelly and Sinema have worked to expand the growth and prosperity of Arizona tribal communities. Kelly and Sinema both supported the passage of the Blackwater Trading Post Land Transfer Act and the Old Pascua Community Land Acquisition Act – two pieces of legislation increasing land rights for the Gila River Indian Community and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe – increasing economic opportunities for both tribal communities.
Kelly and Sinema have also secured bipartisan passage of critical land and water rights bills for tribes across Arizona, including in part the Hualapai Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act and the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act – legislation helping secure tribal communities’ and Arizona’s water future.
Supporters of the Tonto Apache Land Transfer Act are the Tonto National Forest, the Department of Agriculture, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Gila County, and the City of Payson.
