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)
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