The Chumash and its allies are misrepresenting the real consequences of Camp 4 fee to trust and potential tribal development on this land to the unique character and lifestyle of the Santa Ynez Valley. This is the first in a series of Myth vs Facts that address these misrepresentations.
Myth: Santa Barbara County’s agreement with the Chumash on Camp 4, “preserv[es] the rural character of the Santa Ynez Valley” and “provide[s] greater certainty about Camp 4 development.”
FACT: The Santa Barbara County/Chumash agreement provides residents with NO certainty that it will preserve the rural character of the Santa Ynez Valley.oes not for 3 key reasons:
- The agreement is only in place 23 years. After that, Camp 4’s trust status will permit the tribe to massively develop the property in any fashion it sees fit, including the massive commercial and residential development similar to what it proposed in March of 2016. The tribe could also build another casino when the agreement expires
- Purported “restrictions” on the use of Camp 4 by the Chumash in place until 2040, are unenforceable. The agreement merely references language from the Bureau of Indian Affairs Environmental Assessment (EA) generally and thus does not assure compliance by the Tribe. To be enforceable, the limits, conditions, and restrictions of the agreement must be legally and specifically incorporated into the agreement using proper legal language.
- The agreement allows a large-scale event center – over 12,000 sq/ft and 250 parking spaces. This is unprecedented in the Valley.
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