The Gun Lake Tribe recently filed an application with the U.S. Department of Interior to have 130 acres of land in Hopkins Township, Allegan County, Michigan placed in federal trust. The tribe owns the parcel, known as the Nowak property, which is located near other Gun Lake properties and zoned for commercial or industrial use. Tribal spokesman James Nye said currently the land is leased for agriculture but he noted, “The final purpose or purposes of the land has not been decided at this time.”
Hopkins Township Supervisor Mark Evans noted if the property is placed in trust, Hopkins Township and Allegan County would lose property tax revenue.
Evans said he has until May 11 to respond to a Notice of Non-Gaming Land Acquisition Application from the U.S. Department of Interior, dated February 22. According to the notice, the township can provide the Interior Department information about the amount of taxes currently levied on the property including any special assessments, township services provided to the property and if the intended use for the property is consistent with current zoning.
Nye stated tribal properties should be held in trust because the tribe is a government and wants its properties under its jurisdiction. “Trust properties are under sovereign control, along with those sovereign rights and responsibilities. The sovereign jurisdiction is guided by the tribe, not other units of government,” he said.
