Blues Beach transfer to Kai Poma (Pomo tribes)

What happened

Blues Beach, a stretch of Mendocino County coast near Westport, California, is being transferred from the state to Kai Poma, a nonprofit chartered by three tribes. A California Coastal Commission staff report describes Kai Poma as a tribally-chartered non-profit governed by members of three federally recognized tribes: the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians, the Round Valley Indian Tribes and the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians.

The legal basis is state law. The Coastal Commission report says the Legislature passed and the Governor signed Senate Bill 231 in 2021, adding Section 118.9 to the Streets and Highways Code. That section authorizes Caltrans to transfer to Kai Poma, at no cost, portions of its property not needed to maintain the highway. The report describes a division of 172 acres to transfer 136 acres, and says the law requires Kai Poma to maintain the land as natural habitat and to protect cultural resources.

Active NorCal reports that on Friday, June 26, 2026, the California Transportation Commission approved the transfer, which it calls the first time the state has handed land managed by Caltrans directly to a Native-led organization. The Mendocino Voice, citing Caltrans, reported on July 2 that the beach had been transferred. A blog, Legal Insurrection, said staff were still expected to record the deed.

Active NorCal says Kai Poma will own and care for the property, safeguarding its coastal habitat and Native cultural resources. In the interim Caltrans is closing the beach to vehicles while foot traffic stays open.

Good to know. The Mendocino Voice reports the deed to Kai Poma was recorded on July 6, 2026.

Summarized with AI assistance from 4 sources and checked against their words; not yet reviewed by historians or by the nations. Report an error