Chumash Tribe reaffirms prohibition on gaming at land-into-trust site

Thursday, January 25, 2018  

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has no plans for gaming at its land-into-trust site in California, Chairman Kenneth Kahn confirmed.

The tribe plans to use the 1,400-acre Camp 4 site for housing, economic development and other purposes. But the tribe also agreed to a prohibition on gaming as part of a bill making its way through the 115th Congress.

“We felt, let’s show our cards,” Kahn told The Solvang Valley News. “So we put a clause in not to allow gaming on the land.”

The bill in question is H.R.1491, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Land Affirmation Act. It prohibits the tribe from ever engaging in gaming at Camp 4.

The House passed H.R.1491 under a suspension of the rules last November. The procedure is typically used for non-controversial legislation.

The bill has not yet been taken up by the Senate.

If H.R.1491 does not pass, the tribe can still go through the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The agency already approved the land-into-trust application for Camp 4 although opposition at the local level could tie up resolution.

If the tribe goes through the BIA process, there will be no prohibition on gaming.

The tribe operates the Chumash Casino Resort less than 3 miles from Camp 4.

Read More on the Story:
Chumash tribal chairman has water on his mind (The Solvang Valley news January 24, 2018)

Lawmakers advance another tribal land bill as Indian Country braces for change (November 28, 2017)