Chairman Nicholas Fonseca and Rep. Tom McClintock. Photo from Shingle Springs Band

The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians thanked Rep. Tom McClintock (R-California) for helping push a land-into-trust law through the 113th Congress.

H.R. 2388 places 40 acres into trust for the tribe. The property was previously under the control of the Bureau of Land Management but wasn't being used.

"The land transferred by this law was not used or maintained, constituting a fire hazard to the surrounding residents," Chairman Nicholas Fonseca said in a press release.

"Thanks to the congressman, the land will be used for residential housing, some common community buildings or recreational facilities and to work with the surrounding neighbors in order to maintain the rural nature of the community," Fonseca added.

The House passed by the bill a voice vote over a year ago. It finally cleared the Senate in June and was signed into law by President Barack Obama on July 16.

The tribe presented McClintock with a framed copy of Public Law 113-197 that was signed by Obama.

Related Stories:
Senate Indian Affairs Committee business meeting and hearing (05/19)