California Returned Coastal Site to Pomo Tribes

The state transferred ownership of Blues Beach near Westport to a nonprofit representing three local tribal nations.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Native American

California Returned Coastal Site to Pomo Tribes

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Should state governments return historical ancestral lands to local Indigenous tribes?

The California Department of Transportation has returned a coastal site known as Blues Beach to the Kai Poma nonprofit. The property, which spans a half mile of beach and over 100 acres of hillside, holds significant cultural importance for local tribes.

Why it matters

The site is a sacred location where the origin story of the local tribes is rooted and contains the burial remains of ancestors. Tribal efforts to reclaim the land from the state were successful after a process that began in 2005.

The returned land includes a half-mile stretch of beach and more than 100 acres of hillside. Tribal efforts to regain ownership of the property near Westport began in 2005.

The players

Kai Poma

This nonprofit organization represents the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians, the Round Valley Indian Tribes, and the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians.

California Department of Transportation

This state agency is responsible for the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of California's state highway system and transit infrastructure.

The details

The California Department of Transportation transferred the land to the Kai Poma nonprofit, which consists of the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians, the Round Valley Indian Tribes, and the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians. A condition of the transfer mandates that the site remains open to the general public.

Tribal efforts to regain ownership began in 2005.
The state returned the land in September 2026.

Culture Shift

This transfer follows a pattern set by recent state-led land returns to Indigenous groups in California. The move highlights a growing institutional trend of restoring stewardship of ancestral territories to original tribal nations.

Residents and visitors can continue to access the Blues Beach site as it remains open to the public. The transfer ensures the site is preserved while maintaining access for those who enjoy the coastal area.

The takeaway

The restoration of this sacred site marks a significant milestone in tribal efforts to regain control over ancestral geography. It serves as a model for balancing public access with the protection of culturally significant landscapes.