Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Land Exchange Act
This proposed act would authorize a land-exchange between the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation (the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians) and the United States (Forest Service, San Bernardino National Forest). Roughly 1,475 acres of Federal land in the San Bernardino National Forest would be exchanged for about 1,460 acres of the Nation’s non-federal land. Upon completion, the Nation would receive title to the Federal land, while the United States would acquire the Nation’s non-federal land and have it become part of the National Forest. A condition of the swap is that the Nation must preserve the Arrowhead landmark site (Arrowhead Landmark GA) and record the preservation arrangement. The Act also provides for survey-based adjustments, specifies that the lands to be exchanged are identified on named maps, and states that the Federal Land would be conveyed with a Forest Service road access easement. The exchange is exempt from a particular FLPMA provision (section 206) and would be managed according to National Forest rules for lands acquired by the Secretary. As introduced, the bill is a Senate measure (S. 2796) referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. It has not become law and would require passage by both houses and the President to take effect.
Key Points
- 1Exchange details: Approximately 1,475 acres of Federal land in the San Bernardino National Forest would be conveyed to the Nation, and about 1,460 acres of the Nation’s non-federal land would be conveyed to the United States and become part of the National Forest, with a road-access easement retained for specific Forest Service roads on the Federal land.
- 2Timing and process: If the Nation offers to convey its Non-Federal Land, the Secretary of Agriculture (through the Forest Service) must complete the exchange as soon as practicable within 120 days of receiving the offer, following surveys to determine exact acreage and descriptions. The Nation bears the cost of surveying its land.
- 3Maps and descriptions: The specific lands to be exchanged are identified on named Federal Land Maps (F-1, F-2) and Non-Federal Land Maps (NF-1 to NF-5). If minor errors or boundary adjustments are needed, they can be made by mutual agreement, with maps generally controlling in case of conflicts.
- 4Arrowhead Landmark preservation: As a condition of the conveyance, the Nation must enter into an agreement to preserve the Arrowhead Landmark GA, a culturally significant site, with the agreement recorded in county and Forest Service records.
- 5Land management and legal framework: Lands acquired by the Secretary under the act would be managed as part of the San Bernardino National Forest, while the exchange is not subject to section 206 of FLPMA. The act contemplates standard surveying and recording procedures and allows minor adjustments to achieve accuracy.