Map shows land consolidation area for Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, including proposed trust land acquisition. Image from Camp 4 Fee-to-Trust Environmental Assessment

Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-California) introduced a bill to place 1,400 acres in trust for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.

H.R.3313, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians Land Transfer Act, was introduced on October 23. It includes a strict gaming prohibition.

The site is the subject of a land-into-trust application that's before the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Local opponents are promising litigation and other appeals to blocks the acquisition.

The bill was referred to the House Natural Resources Committee. A hearing hasn't been scheduled but the tribe's land issues were discussed at a hearing in August 2012 in which lawmakers were sympathetic to the tribe.

Get the Story:
Bill introduced in Congress for Camp 4 (The Santa Ynez Valley News 10/29)
Chumash Call on Congress for Camp 4 (The Santa Barbara Independent 10/25)
Chumash Camp 4 Bill Introduced in Congress (Noozhawk 10/24)

An Opinion:
Jim Ellis:Applauding tribe’s offer (The Lompoc Record 10/29)

Related Stories:
Vincent Armenta: Chumash Tribe strives to be good neighbor (10/24)
Editorial: Chumash Tribe takes first step to improve relationship (10/21)
Editorial: Compromise goes missing in war with Chumash Tribe (10/17)
County votes to fight Chumash Tribe land-into-trust application (10/16)
Groups take Chumash Tribe's land consolidation plan to IBIA (10/10)
Opinion: Chumash land-into-trust plan raises fairness issues (10/9)
BIA grants extension on Chumash Tribe's land-into-trust bid (10/8)