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Committee advances bill to transfer closed state park land to San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians
Summary
AB 971 would allow the city of San Diego, if it takes affirmative action, to transfer roughly 3.83 acres of land that includes a closed state park site to the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians; the author and tribal witnesses said the transfer would enable the tribe to reopen and operate the site as a cultural and historical park.
Assemblymember Alvarez presented AB 971, saying the bill would enable the city of San Diego, should it take affirmative action, to transfer roughly 3.83 acres of land to the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians.
"This bill would, ensure that the Sampasquip Manah Mission Indians, is able to undo some of the historic, unfortunate, injustices... The land that we're talking about is roughly 3.83 acres of land, is currently, under the ownership of the city of San Diego," Assemblymember Alvarez said, describing the proposal as a step toward restoring ancestral territory to the tribe.
Johnny Bear Contreras, who identified himself as Kumeyaay from the San Pasqual Band, thanked the committee and said the tribe has a continuous presence on the land and maintains care for it. Attorney Ryan Kroll, representing the San Pasqual Band, told the committee the tribe is committed to funding, reopening, operating and maintaining a historical park and museum at the site and noted that discussions with the city of San Diego were ongoing on a parallel track.
Committee members asked about the city's stance; Assemblymember Alvarez said the city must take "affirmative action" and adopt a resolution before a transfer could proceed. A committee member asked whether the park was closed; the author replied that the park is closed and "fenced off." The committee moved AB 971 to the Appropriations Committee; the clerk recorded that the measure "enjoys 16 votes."
