Actor Josh Duhamel concerned about DFL plan to transfer ownership of state-owned to White Earth Nation

(Fargo, ND) -- Actor Josh Duhamel is raising concerns about legislation proposed by DFL lawmakers in Minnesota that would give state-owned forest land back to the White Earth Nation.  

"People come from all over, not just the state, but all over the region to go take advantage of all the things that you can do, and I think we're all concerned about whether or not we're still going to be able to use it, you know, am I still going to be able to get on my property," said Duhamel.  

The bill would transfer about 155 thousand acres of the White Earth State Forest to the tribe by 2030. 

One of the bill's sponsors, State Senator Marky Kunesh says the land in question "are the rightful lands of the White Earth Nation". 

Some of the land in the proposal is owned by counties, including Becker, Clearwater and Mahnomen.