IBIA dismisses challenge to Chumash Tribe's land-into-trust

Tuesday, March 26, 2013  

The Interior Board of Indian Appeals has dismissed a challenge to the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians land-into-trust application.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs approved the tribe's application for 6.9 acres on June 13, 2012. But opposition groups failed to file appeals within 30 days, the IBIA said in a ruling last week.

"None of the appellants has met its burden to show that its notice of appeal was timely filed as required by the regulations," the board stated.

Opposition groups, however, will still be able to hold up the application as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Salazar v. Patchak. The ruling allows challenges within six years of a land-into-trust acquisition.

Get the Story:
Appeal by community groups of Chumash plan dismissed (The Solvang Valley News 3/26)
Board Voids Opponents’ Latest Appeals to Chumash Annexation (Noozhawk 3/25)

Interior Board of Indian Appeals Decision:
No More Slots, Santa Ynez Valley Concerned Citizens and Preservation of Los Olivos (POLO)/Preservation of Santa Ynez v. BIA (March 18, 2013)

Opinion: Chumash Tribe won't compromise on land-into-trust (02/28)