The
Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians is close to a deal that would end a long-running dispute over its
land-into-trust application in California.
Chairman Kenneth Kahn unveiled the tentative agreement at a
Santa Barbara County meeting on Monday night. The deal includes provisions to address sovereign immunity, development of a 1,400-acre site known as
Camp 4 and mitigation payments.
The text of the agreement isn't expected to be released until later this week, Noozhawk reported. It would require approval from the county, whose
officials had to be prodded into talks under the threat of federal and Congressional action.
“As I said before, we are closer than we’ve ever been to having a dialog on this that’s respectful,” Kahn said at the meeting on Monday, The Solvang Valley News reported.
The
Bureau of Indian Affairs has approved the tribe's land-into-trust application but the county is appealing the decision. The agreement would require the county to end its fight.
Separately, Congress is considering
H.R.1491,
the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Land Affirmation Act. The bill would ratify the BIA's decision without addressing the issues in the tentative agreement.
Read More on the Story:
Santa Barbara County, Chumash Tribe Reveal Tentative Pact for Camp 4 Site
(Noozhawk September 25, 2017)
Santa Ynez Valley meeting on county agreement with Chumash draws unhappy crowd
(The Solvang Valley News September 25, 2017)
Camp 4 agreement includes 'waiver of sovereign immunity'
(KCBX September 22, 2017)
Bill to extend tax exemption on tribal fee-to-trust land delayed
(The Santa Maria Times September 1, 2017)
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