On September 29, the U.S. Senators of California, Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, announced a trio of bipartisan, bicameral bills to promote Tribal management of over 2,000 acres of land in California. The bills would transfer federal land to the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, the Pit River Tribe, and the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.
- Pit River Land Transfer Act: This measure would transfer 584 acres of federal land administered by U.S. Forest Service to the Secretary of the Interior to be held in trust for the Pit River Tribe. The proposed land to be transferred is known as the Four Corners Property, located in Shasta County. Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) is leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives. Full text of the Pit River Land Transfer Act is available here.
- Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act: This measure would place approximately 80 acres of land currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) into trust for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, and place into trust 185 acres of fee land already owned by the Tribe. The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians is a federally recognized Tribe located near Placerville in the western Sierra Nevada foothills (El Dorado County). Representative Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove) is leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives. Full text of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act is available here.
- Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Land Exchange Act: This measure would transfer 1,475 acres of land from the U.S. Forest Service to the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation in fee in exchange for 1,460 acres of fee land the Tribe already owns. The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation is a federally recognized Tribe of Serrano people, and their reservation is located in San Bernardino County. Representative Jay Obernolte (R-Big Bear Lake) is leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives. Full text of the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Land Exchange Act is available here.
For additional information, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate, Staci Heaton.