Tribal Land Transfer Policy
The Tribal Land Transfer Policy allows for the transfer of land from investor-owned utilities to Native American tribes with a historical interest in the land. When a utility begins the process of disposing of land, the policy creates an expectation that the utility will work with the California Native American Heritage Commission to identify any tribes whose ancestral territory the land is on or adjacent to this particular land. Once the utility identifies any interested tribe or tribes, the company is expected to negotiate a transfer to the tribe before putting the land on the market. This policy, which the CPUC developed after comment from utilities and tribes, furthers the CPUC's goals of recognizing and respecting native sovereignty, and of returning tribal lands to their rightful owners.
Tribal Land Transfer Policy
- Tribal Land Transfer Policy Section 851 Approval Process
- Final Tribal Land Transfer Policy - adopted at the December 5, 2019 CPUC voting meeting (webcast of the meeting)
- Comments Received on Proposed Tribal Land Transfer Policy
- Draft Tribal Land Transfer Policy - presented publicly on May 29, 2019 at the Committee meeting
- Comments Received on Proposed Tribal Land Transfer Policy Implementation Guidelines
- Fact Sheet on Tribal Land Transfer Policy
- Final E-5076 Resolution issued January 20, 2021 - Guidelines to Implement the CPUC Tribal Land Policy
- Revised Draft Resolution to Adopt Guidelines to Implement the CPUC Tribal Land Policy, Issued For Comment December 11, 2020
- Revised Draft Resolution, December 11, 2020
- Revised Draft Resolution Comment Letter, December 11, 2020
- Revised Draft Resolution Service List, December 11, 2020 (excel file)
- Comments to Draft Resolution E-5076, received by January 5, 2021
- Draft Resolution to Adopt Guidelines to Implement the CPUC Tribal Land Policy, Issued for Comment July and September 2020
- Comments to Draft Resolution E-5076, received by October 2020
- Draft Resolution E-5076, September 1, 2020
- Draft Resolution E-5076 Comment Letter, September 1, 2020
- Service List E-5076, September 1, 2020 (excel file)
- Draft Resolution E-5076, July 31, 2020
- Draft Resolution E-5076 Comment Letter, July 31, 2020
Tribal Land Transfer Policy Workshops
- November 7-8, 2023, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Location: Blue Lake Casino & Hotel Sapphire Room, 777 Casino Way, Blue Lake, CA 95525
- What: The Tribal OIR Workshop and Consultations, located in Blue Lake, is the second of three similar events occurring in different parts of the state. It is an opportunity for Tribal Leaders to discuss and provide comments regarding the TLTP Staff Proposal. This discussion will assist the CPUC in furthering the goals of the TLTP, promote improved government-to-government relationships between the CPUC and California Tribes, as well as improve capacity building and access for Tribal participation in CPUC proceedings and programs.
- For questions or to request an individual consultation with Commissioners Houck, please contact Victor Smith, Advisor to Commissioner Houck (vs3@cpuc.ca.gov), and CPUC Tribal Advisor, Kenneth Holbrook (kenneth.holbrook@cpuc.ca.gov).
- Flyer
- April 14, 2021
- September 16, 2019 - Black Oak Casino Hotel Conference, 19400 Tuolumne Rd. N., Tuolumne, CA 95379
- September 30, 2019 - Sapphire Palace Event Center at Blue Lake Rancheria, 428 Chartin Road, Blue Lake, CA 95525
- October 11, 2019 - Pechanga Resort Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkwayin, Temecula, CA 92592
Tribal Land Transfer Policy Guidelines Workshop
- March 24, 2020 - online via WebEx or conference call
Tribal Land Transfer Policy
Contact Us
Email: TribalAdvisor@cpuc.ca.gov