To take certain land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Pechanga Band of Indians, and for other purposes.
This bill transfers approximately 1,261 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM)-administered land in Riverside County, California, into federal trust status for the Pechanga Band of Indians. Taking land "into trust" means the U.S. government holds legal title to the land for the tribe’s benefit, providing federal protection and exempting it from state and local jurisdiction. The primary purpose is to expand the tribe’s reservation while imposing strict conditions: the land must remain open space dedicated to conserving archaeological, cultural, and wildlife resources. Crucially, the bill explicitly prohibits using the land for any casino-style gaming (Class II or III gaming under federal law). The transfer is subject to existing property rights like easements and leases, and it preserves all current water rights agreements. This action aims to support tribal sovereignty and resource protection without disrupting local infrastructure or gaming regulations.
Key Points
- 1Land Transfer into Trust**: Directs the Secretary of the Interior to place 1,261 acres of BLM land in Riverside County under federal trust for the Pechanga Band, making it part of their reservation and subject to standard tribal trust land laws.
- 2Open Space & Conservation Mandate**: Requires the land to be maintained as open space exclusively for conserving archaeological sites, cultural resources, and wildlife, with limited exceptions for utility infrastructure that supports these goals.
- 3Gaming Prohibition**: Explicitly bans any form of tribal gaming (including slot machines and casino games) on the transferred land, overriding potential claims under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
- 4Preservation of Existing Rights**: Protects all pre-existing property interests, such as easements, leases, and water rights agreements, ensuring the transfer does not invalidate current legal claims or services.
- 5MOU Termination Protocol**: Mandates the tribe provide 45-day advance notice to Congress, tribal agencies, and local representatives if terminating a key Memorandum of Understanding governing land use, with specific reporting requirements for violations.