Sponsors
The bill returns ancestral land and protects a cultural landmark for the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation while preserving public road access and clarifying boundaries, but it transfers ~1,475 acres out of National Forest control, reduces a layer of federal review, and shifts survey costs and some short-term boundary uncertainty onto the tribe and nearby communities.
Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation regains ~1,460 acres of ancestral land and secures protection for an important Arrowhead cultural landmark (subject to a recorded preservation agreement).
Rural communities and recreationists retain public access because the Forest Service keeps reserved easements on key roads crossing the exchanged land.
Local governments, landowners, and the public benefit from clarified boundaries and improved public records through required surveys and filing of survey maps, reducing future title disputes.
The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation must pay the costs to survey ~1,460 acres, imposing a direct financial burden on the tribe.
Approximately 1,475 acres are removed from National Forest control, which could reduce long-term public land availability and change land-management priorities affecting recreation and habitat.
The exchange is exempted from the FLPMA §206 review process, reducing federal oversight and public review of the transfer.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes an exchange of ~1,475 acres of National Forest land for ~1,460 acres owned by the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, adds acquired lands to San Bernardino National Forest, and requires preserving the Arrowhead landmark.
Introduced June 11, 2025 by Jay Obernolte · Last progress June 11, 2025
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Forest Service Chief) to exchange about 1,475 acres of National Forest System land for about 1,460 acres owned by the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation if the Nation conveys full title to its land. The Secretary must complete the exchange within set timeframes, reserve easements for Forest Service road use, require the Nation to record an agreement to preserve the Arrowhead landmark, and add the acquired lands to the San Bernardino National Forest.