Yuba County supervisors voiced concern Tuesday that a small Indian tribe in the foothills is trying to skirt federal recognition procedures through congressional legislation.
Supervisors said they intend to adopt a resolution protesting the efforts of U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer on behalf of the Strawberry Valley Band of Pakan-Yani Maidu.
The tribe lost its federal recognition in 1961 and has been trying to regain its status in recent years.
A few months ago, Boxer circulated proposed legislation, the California Tribal Status Act of 2003, on behalf of the Yuba County tribe and another tribe in Sonoma County.
So far, she has not introduced the bill, but Yuba County officials are still wary.
"I think what bothers me is the way it's being done," said Supervisor Don Schrader, because "it takes state and local control out of the picture."
If the bill becomes law, said Schrader, "The Strawberry Valley band could obtain property in Yuba, Sutter, Butte, just about anywhere. I think it's bad legislation when we're being forced by federal legislation to accept sovereign land without any input from the state or federal government."
Supervisor Dan Logue, who first raised the issue a few weeks ago, charged that the tribe is "doing an end-run through Senator Boxer."
Boxer's office in Washington didn't return a call seeking comment.
Logue said if the tribe, which has about 250 members, went through the usual process of seeking recognition through the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Department of the Interior, "they will not qualify."
Logue noted that Boxer got into political hot water in Sonoma County when she carried legislation for another tribe there, the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, where her son, Doug, is now a consultant working on the tribe's gaming proposal.
"The Sonoma tribe cannot be stopped," Logue said. "We are in the same scenario now."
He warned that if the Strawberry Valley tribe is recognized, a casino could pop up in Brownsville, Strawberry Valley or Dobbins.
"I think it's important that we write a letter to our federal and state officials opposing the process, not opposing the Indians," Schrader said. "I think the process is flawed. We have to oppose the legislation the way it's being done."
Last December, the supervisors declined to issue a letter supporting the tribe in its effort to reclaim federal recognition.
The tribe sought the county's endorsement, but no tribal officials attended the supervisors' meeting.
"I'm a little concerned that this particular band of Native Americans doesn't show up to make their presentation," Supervisor Bill Simmons said last year.
Tribal members appeared before the supervisors last July seeking the county's help but were upstaged by representatives from Enterprise Rancheria, who announced their plans for a hotel-casino on Forty Mile Road.
"The tribe has reassured me many times that they would not try to open a casino in Yuba County," Supervisor Hal Stocker said in December of Strawberry Valley. "Then at other times, there's been a question in my mind. I don't want to see two casinos in Yuba County. I don't think that would be in the best interest of Yuba County."