A public school district in southern California is challenging the approval of land-into-trust application for the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians.

The tribe wants to use 9 acres for a gas station, a convenience store, a restaurant and a commercial building. The Bureau of Indian Affairs approved the application in January but the Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District filed an appeal, citing concerns about the potential sale of alcohol and tobacco at a location next to a middle school.

"Should it have a minimart selling tobacco or alcohol? That raises real concerns for us," Superintendent Lou Obermeyer told The North County Times.

The paper wasn't able to get comments from the tribe or the BIA.

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VALLEY CENTER: Tribe's land transfer plan opposed (The North County Times 4/18)