The Pala Band of Mission Indians will continue to fight a proposed landfill in Gregory Canyon, a sacred site in southern California. The tribe successfully lobbied the California Legislature to pass SB 833. The bill would have barred any landfill within 1,000 feet of the San Luis River or contributing aquifer, or within a site that is considered sacred or of cultural importance to a tribe. Gov. Jerry Brown (D) said he was concerned about the importance of Gregory Canyon to the tribe. But he vetoed the bill on Sunday, saying the Legislature shouldn't interfere with a local land-used decision. "This dispute pains me given the unspeakable injustices the native peoples have endured and the profound importance of their spirituality and connection to the land," Brown wrote in a veto message. "There's no question that more thought needs to be given to how we resolve this inherently difficult decision and to find ways for native people and their fellow Californians to coexist in an inexorably modernizing world." "It is unfortunate that Gov. Brown has decided to go against the voice of California's Legislature in support of the Gregory Canyon landfill," Pala Chairman Robert Smith said in response, The North County Times reported. "Not only will this landfill threaten major detrimental impacts to both surface and groundwater, it will desecrate sacred Native American cultural sites." Get the Story:
Gregory Canyon landfill project can proceed (CNS 10/11)
Governor vetoes bill to stop Gregory Canyon dump (The North County Times 10/11)
Deadline nears for action on bill that would derail Gregory Canyon landfill (The North County Times 10/8) Related Stories:
Editorial: Last-ditch attempt to block landfill by sacred site (4/29)
Pala Band continues long fight against landfill near sacred site (3/28)
KPBS: Pala Band discusses opposition to landfill by sacred site (02/23)
Opinion: California tribes incensed over landfill near sacred site (7/12)
Army Corps reviews landfill project near California sacred site (7/6)
Pala Band continues battle against landfill near reservation (6/4)
Pala Band wins treatment as state from EPA (10/31)
State board approves landfill opposed by Pala Band (12/15)
Tally shows defeat for tribe's anti-landfill measure (11/04)
Tribe's landfill battle rests on election day (10/29)
Pala Band's battle against landfill a costly one (10/08)
Pala Band raises water in fight against landfill (09/28)
Pala Band fights to keep anti-landfill measure on ballot (09/08)
Pala Band's anti-landfill measure taken off ballot (9/6)
Pala Band to help clean up illegal trash dump (08/12)
Pala Band's anti-landfill measure placed on ballot (08/04)
Pala Band's anti-landfill measure safe for now (07/01)
Pala Tribe defends initiative against landfill (6/24)
Utility district backs Pala Tribe in landfill battle (05/25)
Pala Tribe gaining support for vote against landfill (5/21)
California tribe files ballot initiative to stop landfill (05/04)
Calif. tribe wages campaign against planned landfill (03/26)
Tribe asks voters to stop landfill near reservation (3/23)
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