Bill Overview
Title: Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2021
Description: 2021 This bill directs the Department of the Interior to take approximately 721.12 acres of land in San Diego County, California, into trust for the benefit of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, if the tribe transfers title to that land to the United States. The land is made part of the Pala Indian Reservation. The bill generally prohibits gaming on any of the land taken into trust.
Sponsors: Rep. Issa, Darrell E. [R-CA-50]
Target Audience
Population: Pala Band of Mission Indians
Estimated Size: 16
- The Pala Band of Mission Indians will be directly impacted as the land transfer would enhance their sovereignty and provide them resources under federal trust.
- Members of the broader Native American community might be indirectly affected through changes in policies related to land trust and management.
- Residents of San Diego County could see regional impacts, though less directly, in terms of land use and local economy.
- The prohibition on gaming on the new land could affect economic development or business planning efforts of the tribe.
Reasoning
- The policy specifically targets the Pala Band of Mission Indians, directly benefiting them through increased autonomy and security over their land resources.
- The broader Native American community could learn from and be inspired by the Pala's experience with land trust acquisitions.
- Residents in San Diego County adjacent to the reservation may experience indirect effects through changes in land use and potential regional economic shifts.
- The gaming prohibition limits certain economic developments, impacting both local tribal and non-tribal business opportunities.
Simulated Interviews
Tribal leader (Pala Indian Reservation, California)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This land transfer strengthens our cultural and spiritual ties to the land.
- Having control over the land without the pressure of gaming gives us a chance to focus on sustainable development.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 6 |
Cultural liaison (Pala Indian Reservation, California)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The land transfer provides more opportunities for cultural education and preservation.
- It's crucial we develop the land in harmony with our traditions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Environmental Scientist (San Diego County, California)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about how the land management will affect local ecosystems.
- There's a potential positive impact in seeing more land preserved and managed sustainably.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Small business owner (Pala Indian Reservation, California)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The transfer could increase regional foot traffic, benefiting my business.
- The gaming prohibition limits new business avenues, but stability is more important.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Real estate agent (Escondido, California)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any land transfer can shift real estate dynamics in the area.
- I expect neutral effects unless new policies are introduced.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Educator (Pala Indian Reservation, California)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With more control over resources, we can plan better educational initiatives.
- It's empowering for our youth to see land returned to tribal hands.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 4 |
University student (San Diego, California)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Observing how land return impacts tribal governance can be insightful for policy development.
- It's a chance to learn from real-world applications of land trust.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Community advocate (San Diego County, California)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This land transfer supports justice for Native communities.
- Collaboration is key; benefits can extend beyond their reservation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Casino developer (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The prohibition on gaming might limit possible expansion.
- I'd like to explore other partnership potential with the tribe.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Policy analyst (Sacramento, California)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a model for similar policies nationwide.
- Monitoring its impact on local and broader levels is essential.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $350000 (Low: $300000, High: $400000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The administrative costs relate primarily to government operations within the Bureau of Indian Affairs and other Interior Department resources.
- Long-term benefits to the Pala Band of Mission Indians from enhanced sovereignty and land use are not immediately translated to quantifiable economic or budgetary impacts.
- Gaming prohibition ensures no need for additional regulatory oversight or potential conflicts over gaming rights.
- Local economic and social impacts are complex and could shift regional dynamics, though they are not distinctly quantifiable in terms of the federal budget.