The Interior Board of Indian Appeals has dismissed a challenge to a land consolidation application submitted by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians in California

Two opposition groups lack standing to challenge the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the IBIA said in a June 3 decision. However, in hopes of resolving future litigation in federal court, the IBIA ruled on the merits and said the groups failed to make their case against the application.

The tribe plans to use a 6.9-acre site for a museum. The effort has taken more than a decade due to challenges from the opposition groups.

Get the Story:
Indian Appeals Board Dismisses Appeal to Chumash Annexation (Noozhawk 6/6)
Chumash Acquire 6.9-Acre Plot (The Santa Barbara Independent 6/7)

Interior Board of Indian Appeals:
Preservation of Los Olivos and Preservation of Santa Ynez v. Pacific Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs (June 3, 2014)

Related Stories:
Column: Chumash Tribe land-into-trust bill stirs up opposition (05/12)
Rep. Capps opposes Chumash Tribe's land-into-trust measure (03/14)
Opinion: Chumash Tribe too wealthy to follow land-into-trust (02/03)
IBIA dismisses challenges to Chumash Tribe land consolidation (11/05)
Opinion: Far-away lawmaker introduces bill for Chumash Tribe (10/31)
Bill introduced to place 1,400 acres in trust for Chumash Tribe (10/29)
Vincent Armenta: Chumash Tribe strives to be good neighbor (10/24)