Federal supervision has been terminated for three more rancherias in California the Department of the Interior announced. The affected Indian lands are Elk Valley in Del Norte County; Rohnerville in Humboldt County; and El Dorado in El Dorado 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 may distribute lands and other rancheria assets among themselves. A distribution plan generally calls for surveys and appraisals of the lands. In some cases, completion of certain land improvements is required before title is given to individual Indians.
The termination action means that the Indians are no longer eligible for special Federal services simply because they are Indians. They now have the same status as other California citizens. To date a total of 29 rancherias have been terminated under the Act.
The three rancherias currently affected contain nearly 200 acres and belong to 77 Indians of the Crescent City and Bear River tribes.
The action becomes effective upon publication in the Federal Register of a notice signed by the Secretary of the Interior.
