With no public notice and little information available, Z107.7 News has learned that the Twentynine Palms Band of Mission Indians have applied to add three local properties to their sovereign nation status. The process can go through Congress or be done administratively through the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The local tribe chose to go with the administrative route and quietly applied about a year ago. In an exclusive interview with Z107.7 News, Congressman Paul Cook, who opposes the designation, confirmed the application and said the Twentynine Palms properties were 2½ acres at the northeast corner of State Route 62 and Utah Trail, slated to be a gas station, and five acres on Baseline Road, north of their existing casino. In Joshua Tree, the status is sought for 94 acres on State Route 62 east of the dinosaurs and west of Whitefeather Road. Tribal members already own the properties, but need permission to change their status. Cook said the City of Twentynine Palms opposes the upgrade, saying it would hurt city income. Currently the city makes about $250,000.00 a year from gas taxes. A tax-free tribal gas station would eliminate part of that tax base. The decision on the application is set for August 28. Cook is joining with the city in opposing the status change saying, “While I am sympathetic to Indian causes, this would cause detrimental consequences to the local economy.” Cook said he is against it because the reason for the change is not for tribal cultural concerns or to protect artifacts, but purely as a commercial endeavor. Planned uses for the other properties are not known. Calls by Z107.7 News to the Bureau of Indian Affairs were not returned.
