CDFW takes steps to return land to California tribe

Fort independence tribe to receive Mt. Whitney hatchery land

After years of discussion, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will transfer 40-plus acres of the historic Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery in Inyo County to the Fort Independence Indian Community, which is recognized as one distinct separate tribal government of the four Owens Valley Paiute tribes.

The Wildlife Conservation Board approved the no-cost transfer last week. When the transfer is complete, it will mark CDFW’s first ever land return to a California Native American tribe.

“This act is momentous and aligns with many ambitions laid out for California by this Administration,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “It honors

Gov. Newsom’s executive order encouraging the transfer of excess lands to California Native American tribes and it is a naturebased solution that contributes to the goals of 30x30. I am proud to be a part of this transfer.”

The historic hatchery structures, residences and other buildings cover approximately 19 acres. The remaining 21+ acres have native plant vegetation including shrubland, and oak and willow riparian habitat adjacent to Oak Creek. Willow flycatcher, a special-status species, is known to use property as habitat.

“Water is an integral part of Paiute culture, history and social structure,” said Tribal Chairman Carl Dahlberg. “Our indigenous Paiute members settled on the banks of the Oak

Creek since time immemorial and these lands have always been sacred to our people. Our worldview values the delicate ecosystem which connects us to this land which traditionally was a cultivation site for indigenous plants, such as taboose and nahavita. This property is inextricably intwined into who we are as Paiute people and we hope to bring this knowledge and history back to the community through the preservation of the Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery.”

Owned by CDFW since 1916, the hatchery historically produced different trout species for planting

voting council and subcommittees, and the creation of several reports and documents about the economy and future of the region.

These efforts are currently underway, staff notes.

The “catalyst” phase, according to county staff, provides up to $9 million to each region to complete pre-development activities such as feasibility studies, market analyses,

California Environmental Quality Act, permitting, site acquisition and planning and capacity building for “projects that need a little boost before the final implementation phase.

Staff notes that the catalyst phase is just kicking off, and projects that could receive funding for pre-development planning will be selected in the coming months.

In the summer of 2024 the implementation phase will begin, during which time “hundreds of millions of dollars will be available statewide for implementation of projects through a competitive process.”

“The Eastern Sierra region will need to have coalesced around shovelready, competitive projects by this time in order to compete with other regions for implementation funding,” according to county staff.

County staff already has provided the Sierra

Business Council with comments on five priority economic sectors, which are:

• Sustainable recreation and tourism

• Forest economy

• Clean energy/energy resilience

• Sustainable agriculture and ranching

• Community health care

Also on the agenda The agenda for today’s meeting also includes:

• Introduction of new county employees

• Accept a United

States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Broadband Technical Assistance Grant for Furnace Creek and

Park Village.

• A presentation from the Inyo County wildfire coordinator regarding wildfire mitigation efforts.

• (Afternoon) Receive a year-end “State of the

Arts” report from the Inyo Council for the Arts.

The Inyo County Board of Supervisors meets in regular session at 10 a.m. today with the agenda available at the county website, www.inyocounty. us. The meeting will be held in the Board Chambers at the County Administrative Center in Independence, 224 N. Edwards St. You can stream meetings live and participate via Zoom through the county’s website at www.inyocounty. us/.