VERONA - A decision on how much, if any, Oneida Nation land is placed into trust with the Federal Government is several weeks away. The decision could have come any time after March 25 but after talking with a Department of Interior Official by phone this week, Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente says the decision will not come before the end of the month.

Executive Picente says he and the Oneida Nation will use that time to continue talks to see if they can reach an agreement on their own. Adding that, "it's all positive, again there's difference of opinions on how we get there but that's what negotiations are about and that's what talkings all about."

The Nation originally asked to have 17,000 acres of land in Oneida and Madison Counties placed into trust. The Bureau of Indian Affairs recommended 13,000 acres. Land in trust is not subject to taxation.