U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (D-CA) have introduced legislation to transfer 860 acres of land from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) into trust for the Pechanga Band of Indians. Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA-48) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
The Pechanga Band of Indians traces its presence in the Temecula Valley to more than 10,000 years. Historical accounts indicate that tribal members were forced out of their ancestral homeland, Teméeku, in 1875. The community later rebuilt homes nearby, which led to the creation of the federally recognized Pechanga Indian Reservation in 1882.
The reservation currently covers about 7,000 acres.
The proposed legislation would move nearby BLM-managed land into federal trust for the tribe. Tribal officials say the land would support restoration activities and protection of culturally significant sites, along with environmental monitoring and natural resource management.
“The Pechanga Band of Indians has fought for years to rebuild and unify their ancestral home to ensure territory near their reservation is cared for in line with the tribe’s cultural traditions and land management practices,” said Senator Padilla.
“I am honored to work with the tribe and across the aisle in this effort to transfer 860 acres of federal land to support restoration efforts, better protect culturally significant sites, and improve environmental monitoring and natural resource management on land that the Pechanga have called home for over 10,000 years.”
“After being pushed out of their ancestral home, the Pechanga Band of Indians has fought to regain land to better protect, preserve, and restore sites sacred to the tribe,” said Senator Schiff. “I’m proud to join Senator Padilla and Representative Issa in this bipartisan effort to support them.”
Pu’éska Mountain and surrounding land
The legislative proposal concerns land located near Wexéwxi Pu’éska, also known as Pu’éska Mountain. The site holds cultural significance for the tribe.
Pechanga previously opposed a proposed open-pit quarry project in the area. The tribe said the project would have produced air pollution across the Temecula Valley and affected the mountain.
Following that dispute, the tribe purchased Pu’éska Mountain in 2012. The Bureau of Indian Affairs placed the property into trust in 2015.
The current legislation would allow the tribe to place 860 acres of nearby BLM-managed land into trust near the mountain so the area can be preserved through tribal land management practices.
“On behalf of the Pechanga Band of Indians, I extend our deep gratitude to Senator Padilla for introducing Pechanga’s land transfer bill in the United States Senate,” said Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro. “This legislation marks an important step toward restoring a portion of our ancestral lands and reunifying our sacred Pu’éska Mountain. For Pechanga, it fulfills a longstanding endeavor to protect sacred and cultural resources, strengthening our self-determination as a sovereign tribal nation.”
Land consolidation efforts
Pechanga has worked to acquire parcels of land near and adjacent to the reservation that remain under federal or private ownership. These efforts aim to unify land connected to sites considered sacred to the tribe.
According to the tribe, the land transfers also allow improved environmental monitoring and natural resource management across the surrounding area.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/03/13/118060-congress-considers-transfer-of-860-acres-of-federal-land-to-pechanga-band-of-indians
