Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs, has no plans to introduce a land-into-trust bill for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians in California, a spokesperson said.

But at a hearing last week, Young said he was willing to intervene due to lengthy delays the tribe has seen in the land-into-trust process. One application for 6.9 acres has been in appeals in and litigation for more than a decade.

“We can solve this congressionally, which would be my intent, especially if there’s a museum,” Young said at the hearing. “I guarantee if it’s appealed again it will be solved congressionally.”

The tribe recently acquired a 1,400-acre property and wants to use a portion for housing. Young questioned local opposition to the project and again said he would be willing to intervene.

Get the Story:
Congress hears tribal testimony (The Santa Maria Times 8/8)

Committee Notice:
Oversight Hearing on "Indian lands: exploring resolutions to disputes concerning Indian tribes, state and local governments, and private landowners over land use and development" (August 2, 2012)

Related Stories:
Audio from House subcommittee hearing on tribal land issues (8/3)
Opposition groups appeal Chumash Tribe land-into-trust ruling (7/26)
Vincent Armenta: Land-into-trust fight shows need for museum (07/19)
Chumash Tribe battles land-into-trust opponents for 10+ years (7/12)
County won't dispute Chumash Tribe land-into-trust application (7/11)
Editorial: Challenge Chumash Tribe's land-into-trust application (7/10)
BIA cites Carcieri in backing Chumash Tribe land-into-trust bid (6/27)