Land Buy-Back Program Valuation Division
The Cobell Settlement Agreement
The Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations (LBBP) was established by the Secretary of the Interior on December 17, 2012, to implement the land consolidation provisions of the Cobell Settlement Agreement. The Cobell Settlement provided a $1.9 billion trust land consolidation fund to consolidate fractional land interests across Indian Country by purchasing fractional interests in trust or restricted-fee land from willing sellers at fair market value within a 10-year period, which ends November 24, 2022. AVSO's Land Buy-Back Program Valuation Division (LBBPVD) supports LBBP by determining market value of the land. Appraisal reports providing fair market value are the primary foundation for individual offer amounts as required by the Cobell Settlement. Thus far, the LBBP has conducted either mass appraisals or site-specific appraisals in more than 55 locations in Indian Country:
AVSO's LBBPVD will be closing on March 31, 2022, due to limited remaining funds and the time needed for trust and restricted-fee land purchases by LBBP.
Services Provied by AVSO's LBBPVD
Valuation
Development and reporting of an opinion of real property value in conformance with the Cobell Settlement Agreement in compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) Standard on Mass Appraisal for Real Property.
Mass Appraisal
Mass appraisal is the process of valuing a group of properties as of a given date using common data, standardized methods, and statistical testing. The LBBPVD uses mass appraisal methodology to significantly reduce the time and cost of producing high-quality appraisals. A mass appraisal is basically a market study analysis using multiple regression (statistical testing), following USPAP and IAAO standards.
Individual Site-Specific Appraisal
Development and reporting of an opinion of real property value in conformance with USPAP.
Appraisal Review
Development and reporting of an opinion about the quality of another appraiser's work in compliance with USPAP.
Appraisal Consulting
Development of analysis, recommendation, or opinion to solve a problem where an opinion of value is a component of the analysis leading to the assignment results.
Resources
Landowners can contact the Trust Beneficiary Call Center at 888-678-6836 or visit their local Office of the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration (BTFA) to update their contact information, ask questions about their land (or purchase offers), and learn about financial planning resources.
Contact Us
To contact us, please use our web form.