Planners concerned over tribal trust lands

With over 12,882 acres of land in San Diego County held in, or in process of being conveyed into federal tribal trusts by area Indian tribes, local planners are concerned about the potential negative impact these transfers would have on the rest of the county’s residents. Primary concerns revolve around the loss of state and county tax revenues and the threat of damage to the visual beauty of rural areas.

In the greater Fallbrook area, the Pala Band of Mission Indians is trying to convert three separate parcels totaling 90.53 acres into federal tribal trust. The parcels they have purchased are...