A view of the land-into-trust site. Photo from Chumash EA
Supervisors in Santa Barbara County, California, voted 3-2 on Wednesday to fight a land-into-trust application submitted by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has yet to make a decision on the tribe's request to have 1,400 acres placed in trust. But supervisors said they will file a lawsuit if the agency takes action. At the same meeting, the supervisors finally approved a law enforcement contract between the tribe and the county sheriff. The tribe is paying $849,000 a year for the services. The agreement does not apply to the 1,400-acre site because it is not in trust. The tribe and the sheriff can reopen negotiations if the BIA approves the application. Get the Story:
Chumash Contract for Cops (The Santa Barbara Independent 11/6)
Santa Barbara County Supervisors approve sheriff's contract with Chumash (The Lompoc Record 11/6) An Opinion:
Canary: Doctor, lawyer ... uh ... (The Santa Maria Sun 11/6)
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