California returns – California has approved the transfer of 136 acres of Blues Beach and surrounding bluffs in Mendocino County to Kai Poma, a nonprofit representing three Pomo tribal nations. The deal marks the first time Caltrans-managed land will be returned to Indigenous trib
On summer weekends, Blues Beach and its surrounding bluffs can feel like a destination that’s lost control—groups camping and partying, cars driving into sensitive areas, and trash left behind, according to a California Coastal Commission report.
For Indigenous nations whose ancestors once stewarded those shores, the scene has long carried another weight: damage to cultural sites and a breach of land that is still sacred.
Now the state has moved to return the coast. California transportation officials recently approved the transfer of Blues Beach and the surrounding bluffs to Kai Poma. a nonprofit founded by representatives of the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians. Round Valley Indian Tribes. and Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians.
The transfer covers 136 acres just south of the community of Westport and will mark the first time land managed by the California Department of Transportation has been returned to Indigenous tribes.
California coast Mendocino County Blues Beach Caltrans Indigenous tribes Kai Poma Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians Round Valley Indian Tribes Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians Highway 1 cultural sites public access management
Finally some good news.
So is this like they’re shutting down the beach access now? Cuz every time I hear “returned to tribes” I think people can’t go park there anymore. But maybe they still allow people to visit, I dunno.
Wait, it says Caltrans land is being returned, but also people are camping and partying and driving into sensitive areas. Wouldn’t it be faster to just put up a fence and police it? I feel like this is just shifting who has to clean up the mess.
I read “Blue’s Beach” and thought it was the one near San Diego lol. But if Westport is the one, good on them for fixing the trash and cultural site damage. Also 136 acres doesn’t sound like “the whole coast” like my cousin said, so I’m confused how big a deal it really is. Still though, sacred land should not be treated like a free-for-all on summer weekends.