California · Government Code

GOV §186: (a) As used in succeeding subdivisions of this section “public domain” refers to such portion of the public domain of the State of California as is contiguous to the portion of the Klamath River betwe

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute defines public domain areas along California rivers and permits enrolled Indians to gather natural materials, engage in traditional cultural activities, and take fish and game under Fish and Game Commission regulations and permits.

Read the full statutory text
(a) As used in succeeding subdivisions of this section “public domain” refers to such portion of the public domain of the State of California as is contiguous to the portion of the Klamath River between the mouth of the river and Katamin Rancheria and such portion of the public domain of the State of California as is contiguous to the portion of the Trinity River between the junction of the Klamath and Trinity Rivers and the junction of the Trinity and South Fork Rivers. (b) As used in this section “Indians” refers to those persons listed on the California Indian Roll whose Indian ancestors originated in the area adjacent to the two stretches of river described in subdivision (a). (c) Every Indian may, on the public domain, in the practice of Indian culture, engage in the following activities: (i) Gather acorns, berries, mushrooms, fruits, insects, seaweed, fish, and other natural foods, materials for regalia and ceremonial purposes and for traditional Indian activities such as making baskets, boatmaking, stoneworking, woodworking, and making of nets, such as roots, reeds, bark, wood, skins, feathers, shells, seeds, nuts, grasses, stones, bones, dyestuffs, plants, sticks, and leaves; (ii) Engage in traditional activities, including religious dances and ceremonies, and the making of baskets and woodworking, making of costumes, and other handicrafts. (d) Transportation to or from any area of the public domain or between different areas of the public domain of material possession of which, pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this section, is permitted on the public domain, shall not be unlawful. (e) Indians taking fish and game under this section shall do so in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Fish and Game Commission and under permit issued by the Department of Fish and Game. The commission may adopt rules and regulations and impose conditions on the issuance of such permits which shall limit the taking of fish and game to taking for ceremonial purposes in such manner as the commission deems proper.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.