Bill Overview
Title: Katimiîn and Ameekyáaraam Sacred Lands Act
Description: This act takes approximately 1,031 acres of specified lands in Siskiyou and Humboldt Counties, California, into trust for the benefit of the Karuk Tribe. Land taken into trust may be used for traditional and customary uses for the benefit of the tribe. Additionally, the land taken into trust must allow for continued access by the Forest Service for managing the component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System that flows through the land. The Department of Agriculture must enter into a memorandum of understanding with the tribe to establish mutual goals for the protection and enhancement of the river values of such component. Further, the act prohibits gaming on the land taken into trust.
Sponsors: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Target Audience
Population: Members of the Karuk Tribe
Estimated Size: 8250
- The primary beneficiaries of the bill are the Karuk Tribe, who will gain land in trust for their use.
- The Karuk Tribe can use the land for traditional and customary activities, enhancing their cultural preservation and wellbeing.
- The general population of Siskiyou and Humboldt Counties, especially those in close proximity to the land, may experience indirect impacts from the change in land management.
- The Forest Service and parties interested in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System will be affected by the shared management responsibilities established by the bill.
Reasoning
- The primary impact of the policy will be concentrated among the Karuk Tribe, as it directly pertains to their lands and traditional practices.
- The general population might see peripheral benefits or impacts based on environmental management and cultural exchanges with the Karuk Tribe.
- The budget constraints mean only key aspects that bring immediate benefits would be prioritized in early stages, while longer-term cultural or environmental projects benefit from the ten-year horizon.
- Forest management personnel may experience shifts in their duties and requirements due to increased cooperation with the Karuk Tribe.
Simulated Interviews
Karuk Tribe Cultural Historian (Siskiyou County, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This land reclamation is vital for preserving our heritage and passing it on to future generations.
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 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
US Forest Service Manager (Yreka, CA)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Collaborating with the Karuk Tribe will enrich the management of these lands, though it requires careful coordination.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Environmental Scientist (Humboldt County, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Ensuring the river's health while respecting tribal traditions is a progressive step forward.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Local Business Owner (Eureka, CA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While this policy might have some indirect impact, I am not directly affected unless there are changes in land use accessible to tourists.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Academic Researcher (California)
Age: 65 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The return of these lands to the Karuk Tribe is a positive move to correct historical injustices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Karuk Tribe Member (Orleans, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having guaranteed access to these sacred lands greatly improves our community's access to cultural practices and education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
Policy Analyst (Sacramento, CA)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This sets a precedent for other tribes to reclaim lands and manage their ecological responsibilities in tandem with federal agencies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Local Government Official (Redding, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Balancing local economic interests with the tribal land trust commitments will require ongoing dialogue and negotiation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Karuk Tribe Youth Advocate (On a Reservation)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The return of ancestral lands revitalizes programs for our youth, building a stronger identity and future leaders.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
Tourism Specialist (Medford, OR)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Expecting an increase in cultural tourism opportunities, although not directly involved in this policy, offers potential longer-term benefits.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 2: $150000 (Low: $100000, High: $200000)
Year 3: $150000 (Low: $100000, High: $200000)
Year 5: $150000 (Low: $100000, High: $200000)
Year 10: $150000 (Low: $100000, High: $200000)
Year 100: $150000 (Low: $100000, High: $200000)
Key Considerations
- The long-term environmental and cultural benefits outweigh the immediate administrative costs.
- Collaboration between the Tribe and federal agencies is crucial for effective management.
- Limitations on gaming may affect future economic opportunities for revenue on the land, but align with cultural preservation.