NEWS: Sens. Schiff, Sen. Padilla Announce Bipartisan Bills to Support Over 2,000 Acres of Tribal Land Management

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla (both D-Calif.) 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.

"I'm proud to join Senator Padilla's efforts to help three of California's tribes restore their ancestral homelands and improve the quality of life across their communities," said Senator Schiff. "This package of bills would allow the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation to acquire cultural sites and better manage wildfires, the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians to build more housing and grow their community, and the Pit River Tribe to manage the Four Corners site as their ancestors did. These bills correct historic wrongs and promote Tribal sovereignty."

"For too long, senseless conflict and bureaucratic barriers have kept California Tribes from managing their ancestral lands," said Senator Padilla. "The federal government must right these historical wrongs and uphold its trust responsibility to help Tribes protect their traditions, communities, and local environment. I thank my Republican House colleagues and Senator Schiff for their partnership in this bipartisan effort to support the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, the Pit River Tribe, and the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians in their management of these sacred lands."

Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Land Exchange Act

This bill would transfer 1,475 acres of land from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation in fee in exchange for 1,460 acres of fee land the Tribe already owns. Representative Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.-23) is leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

"After eight years of dialogue with the U.S. Forest Service, the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation is pursuing a legislative path to expedite and secure the restoration of Yuhaaviatam ancestral lands to our stewardship, as well as the transfer of property to the Forest Service that it has identified as highly valuable to its mission and of public benefit," said Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Chairwoman Lynn R. Valbuena. "This effort is rooted in our commitment to protect culturally significant sites-such as the Arrowhead monument-in their natural state, while supporting the Forest Service's mission."

The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, formerly known as the San Manuel Band of Indians, is a federally recognized Native American Tribe of Serrano people. Their reservation is located in San Bernardino County, California, and their people have lived in the San Bernardino Mountains and surrounding areas for thousands of years.

For years, the Tribe has been working toward a land exchange with the Forest Service, which would enable them to acquire lands that were once home to a Tribal village known today as Arrowhead Springs. The Tribe has gone through the administrative process to transfer this land, but it has been time consuming and expensive, costing over $5 million, including for purchasing multiple parcels of land in the San Bernardino National Forest and for other expenses associated with the land exchange. This legislation would facilitate this land transfer to allow the Tribe to manage their ancestral lands.

Full text of the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Land Exchange Act is available here.

Pit River Land Transfer Act

This bill would transfer 584 acres of federal land administered by USFS to the Secretary of the Interior to be held in trust for the Pit River Tribe. Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.-01) is leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

"For countless generations, the Pit River people have cared for and lived in relationship with these lands. The return of these homelands is not simply a matter of acres and boundaries-it is the restoration of a sacred connection that has endured despite great hardship and dispossession. Senator Padilla's introduction of the Pit River Land Transfer Act reflects a deep respect for tribal sovereignty and justice long delayed for our people," said Yatch Bamford, Chairman of the Pit River Nation. "We are profoundly grateful for Senator Padilla's unwavering leadership and commitment to righting this historic wrong. This land transfer will strengthen our Tribe's ability to preserve our language, culture, and traditions, and ensure that future generations of Pit River people can continue the practices handed down by our ancestors. On behalf of the Pit River Tribe, I extend our wholehearted support and look forward to working alongside Senator Padilla to see this vital legislation enacted into law."

The Pit River Tribe consist of 11 autonomous bands traditionally inhabiting the area surrounding the Pit River and its tributaries. They are known for their deep spiritual connection to the land, with a rich cultural heritage centered around fishing, hunting, and seasonal gatherings.

The proposed land to be transferred is known as the Four Corners Property, located in Shasta County. The Tribe has strong cultural and historical connections to the Four Corners, and they view it as a central landmark of their ancestral lands. In October 1970, members of the Tribe erected a Quonset hut on the Four Corners, staking a peaceful, yet firm claim. That month, over 100 sheriff's deputies, federal marshals, and forest rangers ordered the occupants to evacuate the property, which eventually resulted in violence and the hospitalization of several of the Tribal members.

The Tribe has been actively trying to acquire this land through various governmental processes for over a decade. However, they have experienced a series of delays that have added years to the process.

Full text of the Pit River Land Transfer Act is available here.

Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act

This bill 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. Representative Tom McClintock (R-Calif.-05) is leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians is a federally recognized Tribe located near Placerville in the western Sierra Nevada foothills. They have over 580 Tribal citizens, with 140 members living on reservation and the remainder residing in the surrounding area.

The Tribe's current trust land base is limited, just 317 acres, and their reservation access was significantly disrupted decades ago when Highway 50 was constructed across their only entrance. While the Tribe has since invested in an off-ramp to restore access, their existing land remains insufficient to meet the needs of their citizens, particularly related to housing.

This bill would place BLM land into trust for the Tribe to maintain it for open space and fire risk management. By enabling the Tribe to place their existing fee land into trust, the bill would help the Tribe build much-needed housing for its citizens.

Full text of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act is available here.

###