The Bureau of Indian Affairs is recommending that 13,000 acres of Oneida Indian Nation land should be placed into tax-free trust.

Oneida County leaders are in Washington D.C. to hear the recommendation first-hand from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

It's a split decision of sorts, but definitely more favorable to the Oneida Nation: they originally sought to have 17,000 acres of land placed into trust, but the Burea of Indian Affairs, or, BIA, is recommending that slightly more than 13,000 acres be placed into trust - including the Turning Stone Resort and Casino. Lands in trust are not taxable by any level of government.

Nation spokesperson Mark Emery says:

"We are grateful for the Department of Interior's hard work during this process. Now is a good time to move beyond the negativity, and toward a better community for all of us"

This isn't a final decision, but a recommendation. A Department of Interior official will make a final decision sometime after March 25 and he is not bound by the BIA recommendation, but any decision he makes can be appealed and wind up in court.

To view the Oneida Land Trust Application, click HERE