The public can comment at any of six open meetings on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' plan to transfer 25,000 acres of land around Lake Sakakawea to the Three Affiliated Tribes.

The corps recently released a report showing how it could potentially transfer the land at the request of the Three Affiliated Tribes on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.

The request was made in 2004 by tribal chairman Tex Hall, who said it's part of a longstanding effort by the tribe to regain land taken for construction of Garrison Dam.

The corps says it has authority under the Fort Berthold Mineral Restoration Act to transfer land it no longer needs for the dam's maintenance or operation.

The corps' plan shows it would not transfer an additional 11,000 acres that are currently leased for wildlife management or rercreation and cabin sites.

All the land is above the 1,854-foot elevation mark and is primarily leased for grazing. It would be transferred to the Department of Interior and held in trust for Fort Berthold by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The report is a draft and will be made final following the public meeting and comment period, which ends July 7.

The meetings are scheduled:

3 June 26 - 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Best Western Ramkota Hotel, Bismarck

3 June 27 - 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Quality Inn, Dickinson; and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Hazen City Hall, Hazen

3 June 28 - 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Airport International Inn, Williston

3 June 29 - 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 4 Bears Casino, New Town

3 June 30 - 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Holiday Inn, Minot.

The first hour of the meetings will allow the public to view maps and discuss the issue with corps officials. The remaining two hours will be for recording public comments.

Anyone who can't attend the meetings or would like to provide comments in writing may mail them to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, Attn: CENWO-PM-AE (Larry Janis), 106 South 15th Street, Omaha, NE 68102, by fax at 402-221-4886 or by e-mail to larry.d.janis@;usace.army.mil. Comments must be received by July 7 to be incorporated into the final effects report.

The corps' draft report is posted on the corps' Web site at https://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/html/pa/pahm/land/home.htm.

It is also available for review at Bismarck Public Library, Minot Public Library, Fargo Public Library, Grand Forks Public Library, Dickinson Area Public Library, Beulah Public Library, Hazen Public Library, Alfred Dickey Public Library, Mandan Public Library, Williston Public Library, McLean-Mercer Public Library, New Town Public Library, Garrison Public Library, and Sidney (Mont.) Public Library.

The "Draft Effects Report for the Potential Transfer of Garrison Project Lands Within the Fort Berthold Reservation Boundaries (Pursuant to the Fort Berthold Mineral Restoration Act), May 2006" contains an introduction, a brief background, the proposed determination, detailed responses to the comments, questions and concerns raised by the public last year, and several supporting appendices.