By Associated Press
Oklahoma City – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A U.S. Congressional committee has approved a measure that would allow the transfer of 18 acres of land at the Fountainhead Resort in Eufaula to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
Rep. Dan Boren says the House Natural Resources Committee approved his bill Wednesday.
The Okmulgee-based Native American tribe purchased the Fountainhead Lodge and 48 surrounding acres at a foreclosure auction in 2005 with plans to build a casino resort in its place.
But Boren says after the tribe purchased the property, a survey determined that 18 acres was owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
He says his bill is required to transfer the land into federal trust for the tribe. The measure requires the tribe to pay fair market value for the property and costs associated with the trust transfer.