FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ENR
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1998
(202) 514-2008
WWW.USDOJ.GOV
TDD (202) 514-1888

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FILES NOTICE OF APPEAL

IN CASE OF PUEBLO OF SANDIA V. BABBITT

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Justice today filed a notice of appeal in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., in the case of Pueblo of Sandia v. Babbitt. In an opinion dated July 20, the court directed the U.S. Department of the Interior to reconsider whether a resurvey of the boundary of the Pueblo is warranted.

A final decision on whether to pursue an appeal of this decision has not yet been made, but today's filing which constitutes a protective notice of appeal, preserves the right of the United States to do so.

The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture, in cooperation with other parties to the lawsuit, are exploring the possibility of non-litigation solutions to the many issues and concerns raised by the Pueblo's land claim. These Departments have sought and will continue to seek input from affected landowners, the public and state and local government.

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