In 2005, Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe, co-sponsored by Senator Tom Coburn, introduced a bill to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to lease oil and gas resources under the fort to fund preservation of the historic site and buildings.
In 2005, Senator Jim Inhofe from Oklahoma, along with Senator Tom Coburn, proposed legislation that would allow the Secretary of Agriculture to lease oil and gas rights on federal land near the historic site in order to finance its upkeep.