Memebers of the Elem Indian Colony want Rattlesnake Island on Clear Lake returned to them. They say it was improperly sold by the federal government 135 years ago.
Nearly eight years after purchasing Rattlesnake Island on Clear Lake for $2.5 million, Emeryville businessman John Nady may soon start building a home on what Pomo Indians consider a sacred site.
He was relieved but cautious following Lake County supervisors 3-2 vote on Tuesday approving environmental studies and a work plan aimed at monitoring for Pomo artifacts during construction.
“We hope to have it built by next summer. But we hoped to have it built by next summer five years ago,” Nady said.
Nady's plans have been stalled by controversy since he began applying to build on the island in 2005. Members of the nearby Elem Indian Colony want the wooded, 58-acre island returned to them.
The island is near Clearlake Oaks. It served as a cultural and religious center for Pomo Indians for thousands of years, was mistakenly sold by the federal government in 1874, according to the tribe and an archeologist who supports its efforts.
Tuesday's board decision overturns last year's vote by the Planning Commission to require a more comprehensive environmental impact report that could have cost Nady more than $100,000.
Nady has paid more than $30,000 for archeological studies and building plans that require monitoring for Indian artifacts.
No significant artifacts were found on the island, said Planning Director Rick Coel.
The board majority said they believe that the approved studies and plans are adequate and that no amount of study will placate tribal members who want to reclaim the island.
“I don't think an EIR would resolve their issues,” said Supervisor Rob Brown. He said Nady is the legal owner and, under county regulations, has a right to build on the land.
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Nearly eight years after purchasing Rattlesnake Island on Clear Lake for $2.5 million, Emeryville businessman John Nady may soon start building a home on what Pomo Indians consider a sacred site.
He was relieved but cautious following Lake County supervisors 3-2 vote on Tuesday approving environmental studies and a work plan aimed at monitoring for Pomo artifacts during construction.
“We hope to have it built by next summer. But we hoped to have it built by next summer five years ago,” Nady said.
Nady's plans have been stalled by controversy since he began applying to build on the island in 2005. Members of the nearby Elem Indian Colony want the wooded, 58-acre island returned to them.
The island is near Clearlake Oaks. It served as a cultural and religious center for Pomo Indians for thousands of years, was mistakenly sold by the federal government in 1874, according to the tribe and an archeologist who supports its efforts.
Tuesday's board decision overturns last year's vote by the Planning Commission to require a more comprehensive environmental impact report that could have cost Nady more than $100,000.
Nady has paid more than $30,000 for archeological studies and building plans that require monitoring for Indian artifacts.
No significant artifacts were found on the island, said Planning Director Rick Coel.
The board majority said they believe that the approved studies and plans are adequate and that no amount of study will placate tribal members who want to reclaim the island.
“I don't think an EIR would resolve their issues,” said Supervisor Rob Brown. He said Nady is the legal owner and, under county regulations, has a right to build on the land.
Nady intends to build a 2,000-square-foot home and a 1,000-square-foot caretaker's cabin.
Supervisors Tony Farrington and Denise Rushing to uphold the Planning Commission decision. Farrington said he'd like to see further study of the island.
“I felt there may have been some flaws in the initial study,” he said. The biggest flaw was not having an Elem tribal member oversee the initial archeological survey, Farrington said.