Federal supervision has been terminated for four more rancherias in California in accord with recent legislation, the Department of the Interior announced today. The newly terminated Indian lands are North Fork and Picayune, in Madera County; Graton in Sonoma County; and Pinoleville in Mendocino County.
Under a Congressional Act of August 18, 1958, naming 41 rancherias, and a 1964 amendment to include the remaining 74 California rancherias or reservations, Indians are permitted to distribute lands and other rancheria assets among themselves.
A distribution plan generally calls for surveys and appraisals of the lands and, in some cases, completion of certain land improvements before title is given to individual Indians. The termination action, which thus far has affected a total of 26 rancherias, means that the Indians are no longer eligible for special Federal services because they are Indians but have the same status as other California citizens.
Termination of the four rancherias removes trust restrictions from nearly 275 acres and involves 78 Indians: 1 Mono on the North Fork; 10 Chukchansis on the Picayune; 2 Pomos on the Graton; and 65 Pomos on the Pinoleville Rancheria.
The action becomes effective upon publication in the Federal Register of a notice signed by the Secretary of the Interior.
