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San Manuel Nation seeks exchange of national forest parcels to protect Arrowhead Springs and consolidate reservation lands
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Summary
HR 3925 would exchange roughly 1,400 acres of U.S. Forest Service land for approximately the same acreage owned by the San Manuel Nation to protect the Arrowhead Springs landmark and consolidate tribal lands for stewardship and wildfire mitigation.
HR 3925, the San Manuel Nation Land Exchange Act, would direct an exchange of roughly 1,400 acres of U.S. Forest Service land in the San Bernardino National Forest for an approximately equal amount of tribal land, a swap the tribe says is needed to consolidate holdings, protect the culturally significant Arrowhead Springs landmark, and improve wildfire and land management.
Councilman Joe Morongo of the San Manuel Nation described a seven‑year administrative effort that began in 2017 and included multiple proposals and property acquisitions. Morongo said the tribe spent more than $4 million acquiring replacement parcels requested by the Forest Service and invested over $5 million in total costs in pursuit of an administrative exchange; he said changing Forest Service leadership and shifting parcel preferences delayed completion.
The tribe seeks two forest parcels: a steep mountainside bearing the Arrowhead landmark (California Historic Monument 977) and an adjacent parcel that would connect Arrowhead Springs with the reservation and allow the tribe to consolidate a single contiguous land base. The tribe proposes to record a covenant to protect the Arrowhead after transfer, and Forest Service officials told the hearing they have pursued administrative exchange steps since 2022 and are roughly halfway through a multi‑step process.
USDA’s John Crockett told the committee the Forest Service supports the bill’s intent but recommended clarifying survey and appraisal standards, financial responsibilities for unforeseen costs, and outstanding cultural and environmental compliance; he also noted that administrative exchanges are complex and that the bill exempts this exchange from some FLPMA public exchange provisions.
Discussion vs. decision: The hearing was informational; the tribe explained that repeated administrative delays prompted congressional engagement to complete an exchange they argued should have been achievable through the Forest Service process.
Concerns raised: Members pressed the Forest Service and the tribe on costs, why the agency changed parcel preferences, and the practical stewardship benefits of consolidating lands. The Forest Service said it treats the exchange as a high priority but could not provide a firm cost estimate during the hearing.
Ending note: The San Manuel Nation asked Congress to move the bill in parallel with continuing administrative work; sponsors framed the measure as restoring tribal stewardship, cultural protection and wildfire resilience by consolidating lands.
