The Quartz Valley Indian Reservation in Northern California is preparing to reclaim nearly 40,000 acres of ancestral land in what is expected to become the second-largest Land Back acquisition in California's history.
The acquisition was made possible through a $25 million low-interest loan from the California State Water Resources Control Board. Once completed, the land transfer will expand the tribe's current 200-acre reservation by adding 39,686 acres of forests, mountain landscapes, and critical watershed areas near the Oregon border.
Tribal Chairman Leonard Lincoln called the acquisition "a monumental victory" for a tribe that was once terminated from federal recognition and left with only a small portion of its traditional homeland.
Supporting Housing, Culture, and Conservation
The newly acquired property includes evergreen forests, mountain peaks, and the headwaters of the Scott River, an important tributary of the Klamath River known for its salmon habitat.
The tribe plans to use the land for several long-term initiatives, including:
- Expanding housing opportunities
- Protecting culturally significant sites
- Restoring forests and wildlife habitat
- Improving water quality
- Supporting salmon recovery
- Creating new community programs
The property will also remain open to the public for activities such as hiking and camping after the transfer is complete.
Partnerships for Long-Term Stewardship
The acquisition is being coordinated through the Trust for Public Land, with financing provided by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
In addition to conservation work, existing carbon credit projects on the property are expected to generate revenue that will help repay the state loan while supporting ongoing land management.
California officials say the project reflects the state's continued commitment to partnering with Tribal Nations on conservation, watershed protection, and Indigenous stewardship.
Why It Matters
Across Indian Country, Land Back initiatives continue to create opportunities that extend far beyond returning property.
Restoring ancestral lands strengthens tribal sovereignty, protects natural resources, preserves cultural traditions, and creates new opportunities for housing, recreation, and economic development.
For the Quartz Valley Indian Reservation, this acquisition represents not only the return of ancestral territory, but also an investment in future generations and responsible stewardship of one of Northern California's most important watersheds.
