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DECEMBER 13, 2000

Despite opposition to a settlement on the issue and requests to delay decisions affecting it, the Governor of Sandia Pueblo on Tuesday expressed confidence that the tribe will prevail in its claim over the western face of the Sandia Mountains in New Mexico.

"We remain positive," said Governor Stuwart Paisano. "Since the 1970s, we've been very patient and remain optimistic that the Department of Interior will do the right thing."

Depending on whom you ask, what's right for the Pueblo might not be right for its neighbors, however. After several years of litigation, the Pueblo, the Interior, and the Department of Agriculture came to a settlement agreement on about 10,000 acres of land, most of which is managed by the US Forest Service.

The agreement has been criticized by New Mexico's Congressional delegation because they say it leaves out two affected parties -- the County of Bernalillo and the Sandia Mountain Coalition, a group of private landowners. But as Paisano points out, those parties withdrew from negotiations in 1999.

Still, Paisano says the Pueblo has always been willing to accept the two parties back into settlement talks. He also notes the settlement addresses every single one of their concerns,

"Everything they asked for, they got," said Paisano. "Our Pueblo has compromised tremendously on what we've given up and we will continue to be good neighbors."

According to Senator Pete Domenici (R-N.Mex) and his staff, though, the Pueblo hasn't given up enough. Domenici says the settlement "presents unacceptable precedents" that will affect the resolution of land claims all over Indian Country.

"The manner in which the land claim is proceeding could in effect for the first time ever give an American Indian tribe virtually complete management and control over federal non-tribal land," added Chris Gallegos, a Domenici aide.

Paisano presents a different view. He acknowledged that the settlement is "unique," but says the land will still be managed by the government. The Pueblo will also be able to veto any new uses of the land, a power to which Domenici objects. Paisano, however, says veto power is necessary because Congress could open up the forest land for development at any time.

He also addressed concerns raised by Domenici staffers over hunting on the land, which is currently managed by the state of New Mexico. Since only bow hunting is permitted by the state, Paisano said only one tribal member is affected.

"I don't think a couple of permits will affect their bag limits," said Paisano. Tribal members would only hunt in season, he added.

Nevertheless, in addition to his opposition to the settlement, Domenici is seeking to delay a decision to conduct a survey on the Pueblo's eastern boundary. The Interior has opened a 30-day comment period and Domenici wants to extend it by 90 days, a request the Pueblo doesn't support.

At the same time, should the Interior choose to resurvey, any potential change wouldn't occur until 2002 and only if Congress hasn't enacted the settlement. But Paisano said the Pueblo isn't worried about the seemingly long time-frame.

"How ever long it takes to get that mountain protected or get it back, we're willing to continue the fight," he said.

Get the Public Comment Notice:
Interior seeks comments on Pueblo resurvey (Tribal Law 12/12)

View a map of the Settlement Area:
Sandia Pueblo Claim Area (Sandia Pueblo)

Related Stories:
Domenici: Pueblo shouldn't own Mountain (Tribal Law 12/12)
Landowners thrown out of Pueblo claim (Tribal Law 11/20)

Relevant Links:
Sandia Pueblo - www.sandiapueblo.nsn.us
Bernalillo County - www.bernco.gov
Senator Pete Domenici - www.senate.gov/~domenici