Rep. Darrell Issa Advocates for Returning Unused BLM Land to California Tribes

Legislation for Tribal Land Reacquisition

• 🎯 HR5682 aims to transfer approximately 1,200 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land back to the Pachchanga Tribe.
• 💡 This land is currently unused for grazing or economic purposes and costs the federal government money to maintain.
• ✅ The Pachchanga Tribe has a proven track record of better maintaining tribal lands at their own expense compared to the federal government.

Historical Context and Tribal Stewardship

• 🔑 The Pachchanga Tribe has been actively reinvesting revenues into acquiring ancestral lands for over 25 years, including significant sites like the Great Oak.
• ⏳ Native American tribes in California, unlike some others, have had to reacquire their ancestral lands due to historical dispossession, starting significantly after the Ulysses S. Grant era.
• 🗺️ The tribe's land holdings now span two counties and are supported by adjacent cities and counties, demonstrating strong community integration.

Tribal Contributions and Community Support

• 🚒 The Pachchanga Tribe has invested in community infrastructure, including building a highly effective fire department that serves tribal lands and adjacent communities.
• 🤝 The tribe acts as a crucial first responder, providing essential services at their own expense to areas like Fallbrook and surrounding regions.
• 🌟 The bill is seen as returning land to a