Two groups say the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians of California can't follow the land-into-trust process.

Preservation of Los Olivos (POLO) and Preservation of Santa Ynez (POSY) say the tribe didn't gain formal recognition until 1964, at the earliest. That means the tribe wouldn't make the 1934 cut-off set by the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs approved the tribe's application for 6.9 acres. The groups won the right to challenge the decision, which was before the Interior Board of Indian Appeals.

The tribe plans to use the site for a retail building, a cultural center, a museum and a commemorative park. The property sits across the street from the tribe's casino.

Get the Story:
Ruling on Chumash property key to Santa Ynez Valley future (Pacific Business Times 8/23)

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