(a) When specifically authorized by an appropriate tribal resolution establishing a general policy for permitting of Indian agricultural lands, the BIA will:

(1) Waive the general prohibition against Indian operator preferences in permits advertised for bid under § 166.221 of this part, by allowing prospective Indian operators to match the highest responsible bid (unless the tribal law or leasing policy specifies some other manner in which the preference must be afforded);

(2) Waive or modify the requirement that a permittee post a surety or performance bond;

(3) Provide for posting of other collateral or security in lieu of surety or other bonds; and

(4) Approve permits of tribally-owned agricultural lands at rates determined by the tribal governing body.

(b) When specifically authorized by an appropriate tribal resolution establishing a general policy for permitting of Indian agricultural lands, and subject to paragraph (c) of this section, the BIA may:

(1) Waive or modify any general notice requirement of federal law; and

(2) Grant or approve a permit on “highly fractionated undivided heirship lands” as defined by tribal law.

(c) The BIA may take the action specified in paragraph (b) of this section only if:

(1) The tribe defines by resolution what constitutes “highly fractionated undivided heirship lands”;

(2) The tribe adopts an alternative plan for notifying individual Indian landowners; and

(3) The BIA's action is necessary to prevent waste, reduce idle land acreage and ensure income.

(a) The individual Indian landowners of Indian land may exempt their land from our application of a tribal policy referred to under § 166.100 of this part if:

(1) The Indian landowners have at least a 50% interest in such fractionated tract; and

(2) The Indian landowners submit a written objection to the BIA of all or any part of such tribal policies to the permitting of such parcel of land.

(b) Upon verification of the written objection we will notify the tribe of the Indian landowners' exemption from the specific tribal policy.

(c) The procedures described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section will also apply to withdrawing an approved exemption.

Tribal laws will apply to permits of Indian land under the jurisdiction of the tribe enacting such laws, unless those tribal laws are inconsistent with applicable federal law.

(a) Unless prohibited by federal law, we will recognize and comply with tribal laws regulating activities on Indian agricultural land, including tribal laws relating to land use, environmental protection, and historic or cultural preservation.

(b) While the tribe is primarily responsible for enforcing tribal laws pertaining to Indian agricultural land, we will:

(1) Assist in the enforcement of tribal laws;

(2) Provide notice of tribal laws to persons or entities undertaking activities on Indian agricultural land, under § 166.104(b) of this part; and

(3) Require appropriate federal officials to appear in tribal forums when requested by the tribe, so long as such an appearance would not:

(i) Be inconsistent with the restrictions on employee testimony set forth at 43 CFR Part 2, Subpart E;

(ii) Constitute a waiver of the sovereign immunity of the United States; or

(iii) Authorize or result in a review of our actions by a tribal court.

(c) Where the regulations in this subpart are inconsistent with a tribal law, but such regulations cannot be superseded or modified by the tribal law under § 166.2 of this part, we may waive the regulations under part 1 of this title, so long as the waiver does not violate a federal statute or judicial decision or conflict with our general trust responsibility under federal law.

(a) Tribes must notify us of the content and effective dates of new tribal laws.

(b) We will then notify affected Indian landowners and any persons or entities undertaking activities on Indian agricultural lands of the superseding or modifying effect of the tribal law. We will:

(1) Provide individual written notice; or

(2) Post public notice. This notice will be posted at the tribal community building, U.S. Post Office, and/or published in the local newspaper nearest to the Indian lands where activities are occurring.