§6205. Indian territory

1.  Passamaquoddy Indian territory.  Subject to subsections 3, 4 and 5, the following lands within the State are known as the "Passamaquoddy Indian territory:"

A. The Passamaquoddy Indian Reservation;   [PL 1993, c. 713, §1 (AMD); PL 1993, c. 713, §2 (AFF).]

B. The first 150,000 acres of land acquired by the secretary for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe from the following areas or lands to the extent that those lands are acquired by the secretary prior to January 31, 1991, are not held in common with any other person or entity and are certified by the secretary by January 31, 1991, as held for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe:

The lands of Great Northern Nekoosa Corporation located in T.1, R.8, W.B.K.P. (Lowelltown), T.6, R.1, N.B.K.P. (Holeb), T.2, R.10, W.E.L.S. and T.2, R.9, W.E.L.S.; the land of Raymidga Company located in T.1, R.5, W.B.K.P. (Jim Pond), T.4, R.5, B.K.P.W.K.R. (King and Bartlett), T.5, R.6, B.K.P.W.K.R. and T.3, R.5, B.K.P.W.K.R.; the land of the heirs of David Pingree located in T.6, R.8, W.E.L.S.; any portion of Sugar Island in Moosehead Lake; the lands of Prentiss and Carlisle Company located in T.9, S.D.; any portion of T.24, M.D.B.P.P.; the lands of Bertram C. Tackeff or Northeastern Blueberry Company, Inc. in T.19, M.D.B.P.P.; any portion of T.2, R.8, N.W.P.; any portion of T.2, R.5, W.B.K.P. (Alder Stream); the lands of Dead River Company in T.3, R.9, N.W.P., T.2, R.9, N.W.P., T.5, R.1, N.B.P.P. and T.5, N.D.B.P.P.; any portion of T.3, R.1, N.B.P.P.; any portion of T.3, N.D.; any portion of T.4, N.D.; any portion of T.39, M.D.; any portion of T.40, M.D.; any portion of T.41, M.D.; any portion of T.42, M.D.B.P.P.; the lands of Diamond International Corporation, International Paper Company and Lincoln Pulp and Paper Company located in Argyle; and the lands of the Dyer Interests in T.A.R.7 W.E.L.S., T.3 R.9 N.W.P., T.3 R.3. N.B.K.P. (Alder Brook Township), T.3 R.4 N.B.K.P. (Hammond Township), T.2 R.4 N.B.K.P. (Pittston Academy Grant), T.2 R.3 N.B.K.P. (Soldiertown Township), and T.4 R.4 N.B.K.P. (Prentiss Township), and any lands in Albany Township acquired by the Passamaquoddy Tribe before January 1, 1991;   [PL 2001, c. 251, §1 (AMD); PL 2001, c. 251, §4 (AFF).]

C. Any land not exceeding 100 acres in the City of Calais acquired by the secretary for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe as long as the land is acquired by the secretary prior to January 1, 2001, is not held in common with any other person or entity and is certified by the secretary by January 31, 2001, as held for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, if:

(1) The acquisition of the land by the tribe is approved by the legislative body of that city; and

(2) A tribal-state compact under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act is agreed to by the State and the Passamaquoddy Tribe or the State is ordered by a court to negotiate such a compact;   [PL 2007, c. 221, §1 (AMD); PL 2007, c. 221, §4 (AFF); PL 2007, c. 223, §1 (AMD); PL 2007, c. 223, §4 (AFF).]

D. All land acquired by the secretary for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe in T. 19, M.D. to the extent that the land is acquired by the secretary prior to January 31, 2020, is not held in common with any other person or entity and is certified by the secretary by January 31, 2020 as held for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe;   [RR 2007, c. 1, §14 (COR).]

D-1. Land acquired by the secretary for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe in Centerville consisting of Parcels A, B and C conveyed by Bertram C. Tackeff to the Passamaquoddy Tribe by quitclaim deed dated July 27, 1981, recorded in the Washington County Registry of Deeds in Book 1147, Page 251, to the extent that the land is acquired by the secretary prior to January 31, 2017, is not held in common with any other person or entity and is certified by the secretary by January 31, 2017 as held for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe;   [PL 2013, c. 91, §1 (AMD); PL 2013, c. 91, §3 (AFF).]

D-2. Land acquired by the secretary for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe in Centerville conveyed by Bertram C. Tackeff to the Passamaquoddy Tribe by quitclaim deed dated May 4, 1982, recorded in the Washington County Registry of Deeds in Book 1178, Page 35, to the extent that the land is acquired by the secretary prior to January 31, 2023, is not held in common with any other person or entity and is certified by the secretary by January 31, 2023 as held for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe; and   [PL 2013, c. 91, §2 (NEW); PL 2013, c. 91, §3 (AFF).]

E. Land acquired by the secretary for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe in Township 21 consisting of Gordon Island in Big Lake, conveyed by Domtar Maine Corporation to the Passamaquoddy Tribe by corporate quitclaim deed dated April 30, 2002, recorded in the Washington County Registry of Deeds in Book 2624, Page 301, to the extent that the land is acquired by the secretary prior to January 31, 2017, is not held in common with any other person or entity and is certified by the secretary by January 31, 2017 as held for the benefit of the Passamaquoddy Tribe.   [PL 2007, c. 223, §3 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 223, §4 (AFF).]

[PL 2013, c. 91, §§1, 2 (AMD); PL 2013, c. 91, §3 (AFF).]

2.  Penobscot Indian territory.  Subject to subsections 3, 4 and 5, the following lands within the State shall be known as the "Penobscot Indian territory:"

A. The Penobscot Indian Reservation; and   [PL 1979, c. 732, §1 (NEW).]

B. The first 150,000 acres of land acquired by the secretary for the benefit of the Penobscot Nation from the following areas or lands to the extent that those lands are acquired by the secretary prior to January 31, 2021, are not held in common with any other person or entity and are certified by the secretary by January 31, 2021, as held for the Penobscot Nation:

The lands of Great Northern Nekoosa Corporation located in T.1, R.8, W.B.K.P. (Lowelltown), T.6, R.1, N.B.K.P. (Holeb), T.2, R.10, W.E.L.S. and T.2, R.9, W.E.L.S.; the land of Raymidga Company located in T.1, R.5, W.B.K.P. (Jim Pond), T.4, R.5, B.K.P.W.K.R. (King and Bartlett), T.5, R.6, B.K.P.W.K.R. and T.3, R.5, B.K.P.W.K.R.; the land of the heirs of David Pingree located in T.6, R.8, W.E.L.S.; any portion of Sugar Island in Moosehead Lake; the lands of Prentiss and Carlisle Company located in T.9, S.D.; any portion of T.24, M.D.B.P.P.; the lands of Bertram C. Tackeff or Northeastern Blueberry Company, Inc. in T.19, M.D.B.P.P.; any portion of T.2, R.8, N.W.P.; any portion of T.2, R.5, W.B.K.P. (Alder Stream); the lands of Dead River Company in T.3, R.9, N.W.P., T.2, R.9, N.W.P., T.5, R.1, N.B.P.P. and T.5, N.D.B.P.P.; any portion of T.3, R.1, N.B.P.P.; any portion of T.3, N.D.; any portion of T.4, N.D.; any portion of T.39, M.D.; any portion of T.40, M.D.; any portion of T.41, M.D.; any portion of T.42, M.D.B.P.P.; the lands of Diamond International Corporation, International Paper Company and Lincoln Pulp and Paper Company located in Argyle; any land acquired in Williamsburg T.6, R.8, N.W.P.; any 300 acres in Old Town mutually agreed upon by the City of Old Town and the Penobscot Nation Tribal Government, provided that the mutual agreement must be finalized prior to August 31, 1991; any lands in Lakeville acquired by the Penobscot Nation before January 1, 1991; and all the property acquired by the Penobscot Indian Nation from Herbert C. Haynes, Jr., Herbert C. Haynes, Inc. and Five Islands Land Corporation located in Township 1, Range 6 W.E.L.S.   [PL 1999, c. 625, §1 (AMD).]

[PL 1999, c. 625, §1 (AMD).]

3.  Takings under the laws of the State.

A. Prior to any taking of land for public uses within either the Passamaquoddy Indian Reservation or the Penobscot Indian Reservation, the public entity proposing the taking, or, in the event of a taking proposed by a public utility, the Public Utilities Commission, shall be required to find that there is no reasonably feasible alternative to the proposed taking. In making this finding, the public entity or the Public Utilities Commission shall compare the cost, technical feasibility, and environmental and social impact of the available alternatives, if any, with the cost, technical feasibility and environmental and social impact of the proposed taking. Prior to making this finding, the public entity or Public Utilities Commission, after notice to the affected tribe or nation, shall conduct a public hearing in the manner provided by the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, on the affected Indian reservation. The finding of the public entity or Public Utilities Commission may be appealed to the Maine Superior Court.

In the event of a taking of land for public uses within the Passamaquoddy Indian Reservation or the Penobscot Indian Reservation, the public entity or public utility making the taking shall, at the election of the affected tribe or nation, and with respect to individually allotted lands, at the election of the affected allottee or allottees, acquire by purchase or otherwise for the respective tribe, nation, allottee or allottees a parcel or parcels of land equal in value to that taken; contiguous to the affected Indian reservation; and as nearly adjacent to the parcel taken as practicable. The land so acquired shall, upon written certification to the Secretary of State by the public entity or public utility acquiring such land describing the location and boundaries thereof, be included within the Indian Reservation of the affected tribe or nation without further approval of the State. For purposes of this section, land along and adjacent to the Penobscot River shall be deemed to be contiguous to the Penobscot Indian Reservation. The acquisition of land for the Passamaquoddy Tribe or the Penobscot Nation or any allottee under this subsection shall be full compensation for any such taking. If the affected tribe, nation, allottee or allottees elect not to have a substitute parcel acquired in accordance with this subsection, the moneys received for such taking shall be reinvested in accordance with the provisions of paragraph B.   [PL 1979, c. 732, §1 (NEW).]

B. If land within either the Passamaquoddy Indian Territory or the Penobscot Indian Territory but not within either the Passamaquoddy Indian Reservation or the Penobscot Indian Reservation is taken for public uses in accordance with the laws of the State the money received for said land shall be reinvested in other lands within 2 years of the date on which the money is received. To the extent that any moneys received are so reinvested in land with an area not greater than the area of the land taken and located within an unorganized or unincorporated area of the State, the lands so acquired by such reinvestment shall be included within the respective Indian territory without further approval of the State. To the extent that any moneys received are so reinvested in land with an area greater than the area of the land taken and located within an unorganized or unincorporated area of the State, the respective tribe or nation shall designate, within 30 days of such reinvestment, that portion of the land acquired by such reinvestment, not to exceed the area taken, which shall be included within the respective Indian territory. No land acquired pursuant to this paragraph shall be included within either Indian Territory until the Secretary of Interior has certified, in writing, to the Secretary of State the location and boundaries of the land acquired.   [PL 1979, c. 732, §1 (NEW).]

[PL 1979, c. 732, §1 (NEW).]

4.  Taking under the laws of the United States.  In the event of a taking of land within the Passamaquoddy Indian territory or the Penobscot Indian territory for public uses in accordance with the laws of the United States and the reinvestment of the moneys received from such taking within 2 years of the date on which the moneys are received, the status of the lands acquired by such reinvestment shall be determined in accordance with subsection 3, paragraph B.

[PL 1979, c. 732, §§1, 31 (NEW).]

5.  Limitations.  No lands held or acquired by or in trust for the Passamaquoddy Tribe or the Penobscot Nation, other than those described in subsections 1, 2, 3 and 4, shall be included within or added to the Passamaquoddy Indian territory or the Penobscot Indian territory except upon recommendation of the commission and approval of the State to be given in the manner required for the enactment of laws by the Legislature and Governor of Maine, provided, however, that no lands within any city, town, village or plantation shall be added to either the Passamaquoddy Indian territory or the Penobscot Indian territory without approval of the legislative body of said city, town, village or plantation in addition to the approval of the State.

Any lands within the Passamaquoddy Indian territory or the Penobscot Indian territory, the fee to which is transferred to any person who is not a member of the respective tribe or nation, shall cease to constitute a portion of Indian territory and shall revert to its status prior to the inclusion thereof within Indian territory.

[PL 1979, c. 732, §§1, 31 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1979, c. 732, §§1,31 (NEW). PL 1983, c. 493, §1 (AMD). PL 1983, c. 494, §1 (AMD). PL 1983, c. 660, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 1983, c. 676, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 1985, c. 69, §1 (AMD). PL 1985, c. 637, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 1985, c. 639, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 1985, c. 747, §2 (AMD). PL 1987, c. 153, §§1-3 (AMD). PL 1991, c. 720, §1 (AMD). PL 1991, c. 720, §2 (AFF). PL 1991, c. 721, §1 (AMD). PL 1991, c. 721, §2 (AFF). PL 1993, c. 713, §1 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 713, §2 (AFF). PL 1995, c. 601, §1 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 601, §2 (AFF). PL 1999, c. 625, §1 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 251, §§1-3 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 251, §4 (AFF). RR 2007, c. 1, §§14, 15 (COR). PL 2007, c. 221, §§1-3 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 221, §4 (AFF). PL 2007, c. 223, §§1-3 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 223, §4 (AFF). PL 2013, c. 91, §§1, 2 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 91, §3 (AFF).