A federal judge removed two counties in California from the
Mishewal Wappo
Tribe federal recognition lawsuit.
Napa County and Sonoma County lack "significant protectable interests," Judge Edward Davila wrote in his ruling, The Vallejo Times-Herald reported. The decision was welcomed by the tribe.
"It's a huge victory for the tribe, and it's what we expected would happen," Chairman Scott Gabeldon told the paper. "It separates counties from intervening in the government's relationship with tribes."
The tribe was listed for termination in an act of Congress. The lawsuit accuses of the federal government of failing to comply with the law.
The tribe and the Obama administration are in settlement talks.
Get the Story:
Judge dismisses Napa, Sonoma counties from Wappo lawsuit
(The Vallejo Times-Herald 10/4)
Napa County tossed out of Wappo tribal lawsuit
(The Napa Valley Register 10/3)
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Mishewal Wappo Tribe
testifies at hearing on federal recognition (06/26)
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