Bill Transfers 204 Acres of Federal Land to Shingle Springs Tribe, Prohibits Gaming

This legislation directs the transfer of roughly 204 acres of federal land into trust for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. Specifically, it involves about 85.3 acres currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and approximately 118.84 acres known as the Indian Creek Ranch property. The bill mandates the Secretary of the Interior complete this transfer within 180 days of the Act becoming law, adding the land to the Tribe's existing Reservation.

Putting Land Back in Tribal Hands

The core action here is straightforward: moving land ownership under federal trust management for the benefit of the Tribe. This involves officially revoking Public Land Order 3309, a document dating back to 1964 that previously governed the BLM parcel. Once transferred, the Secretary of the Interior will oversee these lands according to standard federal laws and regulations applicable to tribal trust properties.

What This Means on the Ground

For the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, this transfer provides additional land base, potentially for housing, cultural preservation, or non-gaming economic activities. However, the bill explicitly prohibits Class II and Class III gaming (think bingo halls or casinos, as defined by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act) on these specific 204 acres. For the public, the main change involves the 85.3 acres of BLM land; individuals or groups who previously accessed this parcel for recreation or other uses may find that access restricted once it becomes part of the Tribe's reservation under trust status.

Untangling Old Orders

Revoking the 1964 Public Land Order is a necessary administrative step outlined in Section 2 to clear the way for the land transfer. This bill essentially updates the legal status of the land, shifting jurisdiction from previous public land designations to the Department of the Interior, acting as trustee for the Tribe. The legislation provides a clear framework for the land's future status and management, emphasizing tribal sovereignty over the land while setting a specific limitation regarding gaming.