The Colfax Cemetery District board has set a deadline of Aug. 1 to resolve ownership of the Colfax Indian Cemetery.

Members of the Colfax-Todds Valley Consolidated Tribe have been attempting to acquire the property since last spring’s controversial decision to lock the gates to the burial grounds on So. Canyon Way near Iowa Hill Road.

After settling a lawsuit over property damage caused by a tree falling into a residence next to the property, the cemetery board realized it could not afford liability insurance on the land and closed it to the public.

Angry feelings ran high for several months until the board obtained insurance and unlocked the gates in time for 2009 Memorial Day ceremonies.

Since then, tempers have cooled between the district and the tribe, but the issue remains unresolved.

The board has offered to sell the land to the tribe for $30,000.

Several reported deals to purchase the cemetery have fallen through, but increasingly, the district and tribe are working together to find a common solution.

“We want the tribe to have the cemetery, but we can’t give it away,” board member John Dugan said in an earlier interview.

As he explained at the April 29 meeting, the law requires the district to sell the property to a legal entity.

Loomis resident Judy Marks, a member of the tribe, confirmed the existence of the Todds Valley Miwok Maidu Cultural Foundation, a non-profit corporation that may be able to enter into a purchase agreement.

Marks said the tribe is working with the LaPena Law Corp. of Sacramento to develop a plan for transfer of ownership.

At last week’s meeting, Dugan offered Marks a number of documents, including information on how the tribe could obtain a $30,000 “minority small business loan.”

Dugan’s plan suggested that if 50 members of the 300-member tribe each pledged $10 a month for five years, the purchase could be completed.

Trustee terms in office have expired

The terms of the three cemetery district trustees expired on May 1.

However, the three trustees – John Dugan, Helen Wayland and Charles Gray – are expected to remain in office until the Placer County Board of Supervisors either reappoints or replaces them.

Dugan and Wayland hinted they might not accept reappointment.

Gray, who is recovering from triple bypass heart surgery, was not available for comment.

Pat Mahlberg, field representative for Placer County District 5 Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery, said Tuesday there are currently six applications on file for appointment to the board and applications are still being accepted.

An applicant must live within the cemetery district boundaries. The Bear and American rivers delineate the east and west boundaries, while the north and south boundaries range from Alpine Meadows to Heather Glen.

Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery will submit the proposed board members to the Board of Supervisors for approval.

Applications can be obtained from the Clerk of the Placer County Board of Supervisors, 175 Fulweiler Ave. in Auburn.

Call 889-4020 for more information.