The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has filed a land-into-trust application with the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The tribe wants a 1,390-acre site in trust. Plans call for housing on the property, known as Camp 4.

“Currently, only about 17% of our tribal members and lineal descendents live on our reservation,” Chairman Vincent Vincent said in a press release. “This federal trust land application is an integral part of accommodating current and future generations of Santa Ynez Chumash and creating a meaningful opportunity for tribal members and their families to a part of a tribal community revitalization effort that rebuilds tribal culture, customs and traditions.”

The tribe originally indicated it would seek an act of Congress to put the land in trust. Opposition groups have questioned whether the tribe can follow the land-into-trust process as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar.

Get the Story:
Chumash file Camp 4 fee-to-trust application (The Lompoc Record 8/8)
Farr Warns About Chumash Efforts to Expand Reservation (Noozhawk 8/8)

Related Stories:
Opinion: County should oppose Chumash Tribe land-into-trust (07/15)
Opinion: Chumash Tribe needs support for land-into-trust bids (05/02)
IBIA dismisses challenge to Chumash Tribe's land-into-trust (03/26)