Tribal Reservation Status For Elk Run Backed by Olmsted County

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Olmsted County Board is throwing its support behind the Prairie Island Indian Community’s bid to have a parcel of land between Oronoco and Pine Island added to its reservation.

The tribal community recently announced the purchase of the Elk Run property and is currently seeking Congressional confirmation to put the land into trust with the same status as the current reservation near Red Wing. The Commissioners authorized Board Chair Jim Bier to send a letter to Second District Congresswoman Angie Craig expressing support for the Indian community’s application.

The resolution also expresses Olmsted County’s support of the Prairie Island Indian Community’s acquisition of the property and the future development of the parcel, with its potential to bring new jobs and economic activity to the area. The tribal leadership has not spelled out exactly what it has planned for the site, but the Indian community has long pursued new land acquisitions in light of the risk of flooding along the Mississippi River and the close proximity of Xcel Energy’s Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant.

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