In a significant development for the Lytton Rancheria, a bill has been introduced in Congress aiming to establish a communal homeland for the tribe near Windsor, California. This legislative effort, spearheaded by Rep. Jared Huffman, seeks to take a specific parcel of land into federal trust, paving the way for housing and community development while explicitly prohibiting casino operations. The "Bill to Take Land into Trust for Lytton Rancheria" addresses a long-standing need for the tribe, which has faced historical displacement and challenges in securing a permanent homeland.
The Genesis of the Legislation:
The proposed legislation represents a crucial step in the Lytton Rancheria’s journey to re-establish its presence in its ancestral territory. The bill focuses on a 124-acre plot of land situated approximately 10 miles from the tribe’s original reservation, located north of Healdsburg. This land is envisioned as a space for the construction of 147 homes, a community center, a traditional roundhouse, and a retreat – facilities designed to support the tribe’s cultural and social well-being.
According to Rep. Huffman’s office, a key element of the bill is its explicit prohibition of gaming activities on the land designated for trust. This provision is intended to address concerns raised by local residents and officials regarding the potential development of a casino, ensuring that the land will be used solely for residential and community purposes.
A Congressional Path to Certainty:
Rep. Huffman emphasized the advantages of pursuing a legislative solution over the alternative route of seeking land-into-trust status through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). He argued that an Act of Congress provides greater control and certainty for all stakeholders involved, including the tribe, Sonoma County, and the town of Windsor. By enshrining the terms of the land transfer in federal law, the bill aims to minimize potential disputes and ensure a stable framework for future development.
"An Act of Congress has advantages," Huffman stated. "It gives everyone control over the outcome."
Historical Context: Termination and Restoration:
The Lytton Rancheria’s history is marked by both hardship and resilience. In 1958, the federal government terminated the tribe’s recognition, resulting in the loss of its ancestral homeland north of Healdsburg. This termination, later deemed unlawful, was eventually reversed in 1991, restoring the tribe to federally recognized status.
Following its restoration, the Lytton Rancheria embarked on a path of economic self-sufficiency. Through legislation sponsored by former Congressman George Miller, the tribe acquired an old cardroom in San Pablo and transformed it into the San Pablo Casino. The revenue generated from the casino enabled the tribe to purchase land around Windsor, with the intention of creating a new homeland for its approximately 270 members.
Navigating Local Concerns and Opposition:
The tribe’s plans to develop its land near Windsor have faced a complex landscape of local opinions and concerns. Initially, Sonoma County and Windsor officials expressed strong opposition, fueled by skepticism about the tribe’s intentions and the potential for casino development. However, these concerns gradually softened as a consensus emerged that the tribe was likely to succeed in its application to the BIA for land-into-trust status.
Some neighboring residents voiced strong objections to the project, with a number eventually selling their land to the tribe at premium prices and relocating. However, the BIA application process has been protracted, leading some Windsor residents to question the inevitability of the Lytton Rancheria securing its new homeland.
Eric Wee, a Windsor resident and former journalist, has been a vocal critic of the project. He expressed concerns about the removal of more than 1,500 trees, primarily blue oaks, to make way for the development. Wee also argued that many Windsor residents oppose the creation of a "foreign state" – a sovereign nation – within their community, over which they would have no control. He believes that Huffman’s decision to introduce the "Bill to Take Land into Trust for Lytton Rancheria" was made without sufficient consultation with the people of Windsor, effectively disregarding their concerns.
Tribal Perspective: A Light at the End of the Tunnel:
Despite the opposition, the Lytton Rancheria views the "Bill to Take Land into Trust for Lytton Rancheria" as a vital step toward securing its future. Margie Mejia, chairwoman of the Lytton Rancheria, praised Rep. Huffman’s efforts, emphasizing the bill’s significance in restoring the tribe’s communal homeland.
"This is an important day for the tribe," Mejia stated. "It has been over 60 years since our land was lost to us, and this bill represents the light at the end of the tunnel towards the day when we will finally, and forever, have a communal homeland from which our children will grow and prosper."
A Negotiated Agreement and Local Support:
Rep. Huffman emphasized that the bill has garnered support from the Lytton Rancheria, Sonoma County, and the town of Windsor. He highlighted the importance of the tribe’s negotiations with its government neighbors, which resulted in agreements to address potential concerns, including the strong opposition to new casinos in Sonoma County.
Huffman described the negotiated deal as a model for functional, respectful, and productive relationships between local governments and tribes.
Windsor Mayor Bruce Okrepkie confirmed that the town is finalizing an agreement with the tribe regarding a municipal aquatic center, which the tribe would build in exchange for water and sewer service to its housing project. While the extension of city utilities outside the urban boundary requires voter approval, the agreement signifies a collaborative approach to addressing the tribe’s needs and the town’s priorities.
The Lytton Rancheria has indicated that it can pursue alternative solutions, such as drilling wells and building its own waste treatment facility, if it does not secure town utilities.
Sonoma County has also entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Lytton Rancheria, outlining the development and management of the land. The agreement stipulates that the tribe will pay the county $6.1 million to mitigate one-time impacts on county roads, parks, and woodlands.
Susan Gorin, chairwoman of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, expressed her support for Rep. Huffman’s legislation, emphasizing its role in protecting the agreement between the county and the tribe.
"This legislation strikes a key balance in reestablishing a tribal homeland for the Lytton Rancheria, ensuring that the off-reservation impacts of tribal development are mitigated, and guaranteeing that the land will never be used for gaming," Gorin stated. "Absent this action, the county would have no ability to manage offsite impacts or preclude gambling."
Bipartisan Support and Committee Oversight:
Rep. Huffman, who serves on the House Natural Resources Committee, which oversees tribal policies and lands, introduced the bipartisan bill with Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock. This bipartisan support underscores the potential for the legislation to move forward and ultimately provide the Lytton Rancheria with the secure homeland it has sought for decades. The "Bill to Take Land into Trust for Lytton Rancheria" is a comprehensive approach to resolving a decades-old issue.