265 Acres of Federal Land Slated for Transfer to Shingle Springs Miwok Tribe, Gaming Excluded

This bill, the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025, is primarily an administrative cleanup that results in a significant land transfer. It officially cancels an old public land order from 1964 (Public Land Order 3309) and directs the Secretary of the Interior to take about 265 acres of federal land and hold it in trust for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.

The Land Swap: From Public Control to Tribal Trust

Think of this as the federal government moving two specific parcels of land—roughly 80 acres and 185 acres—out of the general public domain and into a protected status for the Tribe. The Secretary of the Interior has 180 days after the bill becomes law to complete this transfer, provided there aren't any existing legal claims or 'valid rights' already attached to the land. For the Tribe, this means they gain control and management over these specific areas, with the 80-acre parcel officially becoming part of their Reservation, which bolsters tribal self-determination and land base.

No Dice: The Gaming Restriction

Here’s the part that prevents future headaches: the bill explicitly states that any land placed into trust under this Act cannot be used for Class II or Class III gaming activities. This is a crucial detail, as it means the Tribe cannot build or operate casinos or other major gambling facilities on these particular 265 acres. If you live near these parcels, this provision ensures that the land transfer won’t lead to future expansion of gaming operations, keeping the land uses aligned with other non-gaming Reservation purposes.

Real-World Impact: Who Feels the Change?

For the Tribe, this transfer formalizes their control over land essential to their community and governance, operating under standard federal rules for trust land. For the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), this cleans up the books by revoking an outdated 1964 order and clarifying ownership. However, for the general public, this means that the approximately 265 acres are no longer accessible as general public land. If you were used to hiking, camping, or engaging in other activities on these specific BLM parcels, those areas will now be managed by the Tribe as trust land, potentially changing or restricting public access. The bill requires the Secretary to conduct surveys and make minor corrections to the land descriptions if needed, ensuring that the boundaries are clearly defined and legally sound before the transfer is finalized.