Me-Wuk Land Transfer Act Moves Forward In Washington DC

Washington, DC — The Tuolumne Me-Wuk Land Transfer Act of 2007 has received unanimous approval by the U.S. House of Representatives and will now move on to the Senate for a vote.

“I am pleased that the House has unanimously agreed to this legislation,” said Congressman George Radanovich in a statement. “This transfer of lands, all of which are located in close proximity to the existing Tuolumne Me-Wuk Reservation, will allow the Me-Wuk´s to continue their improvement of tribal housing, cultural amenities and infrastructure. In addition to providing further infrastructure for the Tuolumne Me-Wuk, the Tribe will be able to properly maintain the Me-Wuk burial ground located on the transferred lands.”

H.R. 3490 provides the transfer of three small parcels of land from the Bureau of Land Management to the Bureau of Indian Affairs in trust for the benefit of the Tuolumne Me-Wuk Tribe. In addition to providing the land transfer, the bill also extends the boundaries of the Tuolumne Me-Wuk Reservation to encompass BLM lands and other lands that have previously been or are soon to be taken into trust by the Tribe.

None of the lands will be available for tribal gaming.

Written by BJ Hansen