California Returns 136 Acres of Mendocino Coastline to Pomo Tribal Nonprofit in Historic Act of Restorative Justice
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In a landmark move toward correcting centuries of colonial land theft, the California Department of Transportation has transferred Blues Beach and surrounding bluffs to Kai Poma, a nonprofit representing three local Pomo tribes. This is the first time the state has returned land of this kind to Indigenous stewardship.
On June 26, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) achieved a milestone in restorative justice by receiving final regulatory approval to transfer 136 acres of Mendocino County coastline, including Blues Beach south of Westport, to Kai Poma. This nonprofit was formed by the Sherwood Valley Band, Round Valley Indian Tribes, and Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians—peoples whose lands were stolen through settler colonialism and state-sanctioned displacement.
The land, which Caltrans originally seized in the 1960s for Highway 1 expansion and a scenic overlook, will now be rightfully owned and managed by Kai Poma. The organization is committed to protecting the natural environment and sacred cultural resources, conducting thorough surveys, and developing a long-term management plan rooted in Indigenous knowledge. In a collaborative effort with the California Coastal Commission, Kai Poma has ensured public access from sunrise to sunset, while banning commercial exploitation to prevent further capitalist encroachment.
This transfer was made possible by state legislation signed in 2021 by Governor Gavin Newsom and championed by Senator Mike McGuire, reflecting a growing recognition of Indigenous sovereignty. McGuire emphasized that the transfer enables the tribes to 'reclaim sacred lands and cultural traditions' that have been systematically denied. Tribal leaders highlighted the deep spiritual and cultural significance of the area, including traditional seaweed and abalone gathering and youth cultural camps, all of which were threatened by decades of settler disregard.
The decision comes after state planning documents raised alarms about the destructive impact of unregulated public use—such as camping, littering, and damage to irreplaceable cultural sites. Supporters argue that returning stewardship to the tribes is not only an act of justice but also the most effective way to protect this scenic coastal stretch, finally restoring authority to those who have cared for the land for millennia.
