Senate Passed Pit River Land Transfer Act
The legislation will restore 557 acres of federal land in Shasta County to the Pit River Tribe.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Native American
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The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Pit River Land Transfer Act to transition 557 acres of federal land to the Pit River Tribe. The bill aims to increase Tribal sovereignty and management of ancestral lands.
Why it matters
This act represents a significant effort to return historically significant property to the Tribe, which consists of 11 autonomous bands. It follows a legacy of advocacy regarding the Four Corners property in California.
The legislation authorizes the transfer of 557 acres currently administered by the United States Forest Service. This land, known as the Four Corners property, sits within Shasta County.
The players
Pit River Tribe
This indigenous group is composed of 11 autonomous bands with ancestral ties to the land in Northern California.
Alex Padilla
He serves as a United States Senator for California and co-introduced this specific land transfer legislation.
Adam Schiff
He is a United States Senator for California who worked to introduce the legislation for the Pit River Tribe.
United States Forest Service
This federal agency is the current administrator of the land that is slated to be transferred into a trust.
The details
The land transfer seeks to resolve long-standing issues stemming from the October 1970 occupation of the Four Corners site. That historical event led to a major law enforcement response and multiple hospitalizations.
Timeline
October 1970: Tribe members occupied the Four Corners property.
Last year: Senators Padilla and Schiff introduced the legislation.
2024: The Senate passed the Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act.
October 2, 2026: The Senate unanimously passed the current bill.
Culture Shift
The passage of the Pit River Land Transfer Act follows the legislative precedent set by the Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act. This reflects a broader trend of federal legislative efforts to formalize tribal land ownership and strengthen sovereign management of ancestral territories.
The legislation marks a transition in land administration in Shasta County from federal control to Tribal stewardship. Residents may see changes in land use policies as the Pit River Tribe assumes authority over the 557-acre parcel.
The takeaway
This unanimous Senate vote signals strong bipartisan support for rectifying historical grievances regarding tribal land access. Moving forward, the focus shifts to the House of Representatives to determine if the legislation will proceed to final approval.
What happens next
The bill must now move to the House of Representatives for a final vote before it can be signed into law.
Further reading
Learn more about the Native American history and land rights in the region.
More information
Access the Full text of legislation for additional details on the land transfer.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Edhat Santa Barbara.
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