Cherokee Nation News Release (918) 456-0671, Ext. 2210 FAX (918)458-5580 Cherokee Nation Director of Communications@cherokee.org © Cherokee Nation - All Rights Reserved October 01, 2002

H.R. 2880; The Five Nations Indian Land Reform Act

H.R. 2880; The Five Nations Indian Land Reform Act

Has minimal effect on Oil and Gas producers

There are only approximately 100 new leases a year on restricted Indian land.

It will not apply to the 106,622 current oil and gas leases in Oklahoma.

It is not retroactive. It only affects new leases beginning in 2004, not existing ones.

Does not invent new rules and regulations for the oil and gas industry.

Treats the Five Tribes the same as the other tribes in Oklahoma and all tribes elsewhere in the United States.

These are the same rules that Oklahoma oil and gas producers already work with in western Oklahoma.

Will not retroactively affect lands taken by adverse possession.

Lands taken by adverse possession will remain in the hands of current owners.

Adverse possession cases currently pending will be grand fathered in.

Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association (OIPA) and the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) is in the position of advocating against individual Indians who have already lost 99.5% of their land.

Benefits only Individual Indians, not tribal governments.

Passed the U.S. House of Representatives in October, 2000 during last Congress with extensive discussion and input by the Probate Realty section of the Oklahoma Bar Association.

Is supported by Governor Frank Keating and every tribal government of the Five Tribes.

Please call, e-mail, or fax Senator Inhofe and Senator Nickles to show your support today.

James Inhofe, United States Senator Phone: (202) 224-4721 Website for e-mail: http://inhofe.senate.gov Fax: (202) 228-0380

Don Nickles, United States Senator Phone: (202) 224-5754 Website for e-mail: http://nickles.senate.gov Fax: (202) 224-6008

For more information, call Cherokee Nation Government Relations at (918) 456-0671.