Five federally recognized Tribal Nations have had their land-leasing regulation requests approved through the Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Home Ownership (HEARTH) Act of 2012, a release by the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs said this week.

The five California tribes and lease types involved are the Karuk Tribe (Residential, agriculture and business leasing ordinance), the Morongo Band of Mission Indians (Business and residential leasing ordinance), the Northfork Rancheria of Mono Indians (Business site leasing ordinance), the Pala Band of Mission Indians (Leasing ordinance), and the Pechanga Band of Mission Indians (Residential leasing ordinance).

"The Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Home Ownership Act has opened doors of economic opportunity for Tribal Nations with approved land-leasing regulations," Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Bryan Newland said in the release. "With these approvals, these Tribal communities have had their authority to control leasing of their lands under the act restored. We will continue to welcome Tribes to submit HEARTH Act leasing ordinances and reclaim the authority to manage the development of their homelands."

There are currently 77 tribal nations operating leasing regulations with five more in the process of receiving approval, the release said.

After a tribe's HEARTH request is granted, they can then negotiate and enter into leases without the need for any further approvals from the BIA. 

Tribes may apply to the BIA for agricultural and business leases of Tribal trust lands for a primary term of 25 years and renew for up to two additional 25-year-each terms. Tribal trust land leases for residential, educational, recreational or religious functions are executable for up to a 75-year primary term.