Supervisor _____________ (Paul Kelley or Mike Kerns, Chair)
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
575 Administration Drive, Room 100A
Santa Rosa, CA  95403-2887
 

Subject: RESOLUTION REGARDING INDIAN AFFAIRS LAND
TRUST STATUS AND COMMENTS ON NEW LAND TO
TRUST STATUS RULES
 

Dear Supervisor __________:
 

As you are aware, a Resolution of the Board of Supervisors regarding Indian affairs land trust status in Sonoma County was presented at the Board’s January 15, 2002 meeting for approval.  Action on the resolution was postponed as a result of comments presented by representatives of the Indian community.

Representatives of the Windsor West Residents group and concerned Citizens of Sonoma County met with County staff to discuss our concerns and to empower the Board of Supervisors to resubmit the resolution on our behalf as quickly as possible after consultation with representatives of the five Indian tribes in the county.  At the meeting, we were told by Staff that such meetings would take place and the resolution would be resubmitted to the Board within 90 days.

The 90-day review and comment period has long past.  We understand that County Staff has met with the tribes and that the tribes have requested additional meetings to discuss wording of the resolution.  We are outraged that County Staff have disregarded the requests of its citizens and have allowed the Indian community to stall the adoption of this resolution.  This resolution is vitally important to reaffirm the position of SonomaCounty’s citizens and the Board of Supervisors’ on new land to trust acquisitions and rules, and to guide decisions on future growth, development and conservation of resources consistent with goals and quality of life desired by the County’s citizens as determined by the General Plan.

We, the Citizens of Sonoma County, demand that any further meetings with the Indian community be conducted prior to June 15, 2002 and that any changes to the resolution be available to us for review.  We further request that the resolution be resubmitted to the Board for approval no later than June 25, 2002.

Sincerely,
 
 

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