The Sherwood Valley Rancheria and Coyote Valley bands of Pomo Indians of Northern California rallied in front of the Army Corps of Engineers Building in downtown San Francisco on Tuesday, Nov. 18 alleging that the Caltrans bypass project in Willits will destroy historically significant native cultural sites.
Speaking at the rally, spiritual leader Fred Short claimed that Caltrans keeps changing the numbers of known cultural sites and has continued to work without regard to federal law.
He said Sherwood Valley Rancheria rights fall under section 106 of the National Historical Preservation Act (1966), as well as CA AB 52, which was signed into law this year by Jerry Brown.
The preservation act requires any federal agency to give the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation enough time to consider the potential negative consequences of projects, and to determine whether a site qualifies as historic.
Under that law, federal agencies must also consult with local tribal leaders.
AB 52 expands rights for Native Americans in California, including granting local tribal members consultation with lead agencies regarding projects that could be damaging to cultural resources.
After hours of protesting, police asked the crowd to disperse or face arrest. During that time, Coyote Valley representatives Priscilla and Melinda Hunter were allowed inside the building to meet with Jane Hicks from the Army Corps of Engineers.
As a result, Sherwood Valley Rancheria will be able to consult with the Army Corps and Federal Highway Administration regarding their concerns. The Army Corps requested that the tribes come up with a list of sites that are of concern.
In an interview with the Post, journalist and activist Will Parrish called it a “small victory.” He said that he had never been a part of a movement that was so persistent in their efforts, and resistant to the “official party line.”
Parrish was arrested in July for halting work on the Willits project; he chained himself to a Caltrans wick drain stitcher for 11 days, and 50 feet off of the ground.
He was originally fined $490,002 by Caltrans, but is awaiting a court appeal on a reduced fine.
Parrish said that all his colleagues can really hope for at this point is a reduction of the project, since much of it is already built.
In response, Caltrans Public Information Officer Phil Frisbie Jr. said that Caltrans has avoided sites that were previously listed, and that no new sites have been harmed. And that Caltrans continues to work with local tribes, he said.
The Army Corps of Engineers also stated they will continue efforts to work with all local tribes.
Construction on the $210 million bypass began in February of 2013, but is currently in limbo.
Originally Published in the Weekly Edition (Nov. 26-Dec.2, 2014) of the Berkeley Tri-City Post