Reservation Lands
* Your article of Sept. 23 regarding the Torres-Martinez Settlement Act and legislation failed to properly note the concerns of many congressmen, local communities and the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians.
It also failed to note that the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians has met with the Torres-Martinez tribe and offered three options of compromise which addressed their need for market expansion; however, all were rejected. The Torres-Martinez tribe has indicated no need to meet further with us unless new options can be brought forward.
In summary, we do not deny the right of settlement to the Torres-Martinez, which is long overdue. What is objectionable is the precedent being established for a tribe to purchase land off-site and the flawed process of legislative creation, which prevented concerns from the local communities and tribes from being expressed and mitigated.
MARK NICHOLS
Cabazon Band of Mission Indians
Indio
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