25 U.S.C. § 5142 — Reduction of unpaid principal

(a) The Secretary^* of Agriculture may, if the borrower applies, reduce the unpaid principal of a loan made under sections 5136 through 5143 to the land’s current fair market value if (1) that value has fallen at least 25 percent since purchase, (2) the borrower has held the land at least 5 years, and (3) the Secretary of the Interior finds that the borrower cannot both repay the loan and provide normal tribal government services with the borrower’s income. (b)(1) An independent qualified fee appraiser, chosen by agreement between the borrower and the Secretary of Agriculture, must determine current fair market value. (2) The borrower pays the appraisal cost. (c) The Secretary’s decision may be appealed under section 333B of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. (d) A borrower whose loan was reduced may not apply for another reduction on that loan for 5 years after the first reduction.