Local tribes sign coastal stewardship agreement; Trinidad Rancheria transfers pier-area property into trust

Commissioners heard two announcements involving tribal land stewardship.

An unidentified commissioner reported that three coastal tribes signed what was described as a first-of-its-kind treaty to steward coastal waters and shoreline areas from roughly Crescent City southward; the speaker said she did not have a precise map and noted questions about stewardship beyond three nautical miles for facilities such as offshore wind arrays.

Separately, the commission was told that Trinidad Rancheria successfully placed the pier-area property in trust. The speaker said the property includes the pier, a restaurant, an Airbnb above it and much of the adjacent parking area; holding the site in trust, the speaker said, reduces some Coastal Commission constraints for making improvements while retaining responsibility for construction and engineering oversight.

Commissioners asked for the names of the tribes involved; the speaker listed Trinidad, Ancheria, Rey Sikindi, and Smith River (naming variations were discussed in the meeting). Commissioners agreed to circulate further details by email and to discuss related items in future agendas.