Denounces Unconstitutional Bill to Deny Citizen Appeals
(Santa Ynez, Calif.) In response to the House Natural Resources Committee today passing H.R. 1491, “the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Land Affirmation Act of 2017”, Santa Ynez Valley Coalition Chair Bill Krauch issued the following statement:
“There is a good reason the Chumash and their Congressional allies are seeking this extraordinary special interest bill that denies citizens and our county government the opportunity to challenge in federal court the Camp 4 fee to trust action taken in the waning hours of the previous administration – their case is weak and our’s is strong.
H.R. 1491 affirms the illegal transfer of the 1,400-acre Camp 4 parcel from fee into trust. The Chumash would be able to develop this land in any manner it sees fits in defiance of county land use laws and regulations. The land would not be subject to property taxes, which shifts the burden of needed infrastructure spending to all existing residents and businesses. H.R. 1491 cuts off administrative and legal appeals of this illegal land transfer. This legislation ratifies the illegal prior actions of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and prevents impacted residents and our local government from presenting our case before a federal judge. This bill is an unacceptable denial of due process and justice.
This legislation is just another example of bad faith on the part of the Chumash Tribe. The Tribe has entered into negotiations with Santa Barbara County to address the tribe’s housing needs in a manner consistent with local land use policies. At the same time, in Washington, it is seeking federal legislation that would deny Santa Barbara County and impacted residents the opportunity to challenge what we believe to be an illegal action by the federal government that renders those local land use policies irrelevant.Make no mistake; this struggle is far from over. Last year this Committee passed similar legislation exclusively benefitting the Chumash. That legislation failed. The Santa Ynez Valley Coalition is committed to similarly fighting H.R. 1491 and pursuing our right to challenge the Camp 4 fee-to-trust action.
Make no mistake; this struggle is far from over. Last year this Committee passed similar legislation exclusively benefitting the Chumash. That legislation failed. The Santa Ynez Valley Coalition is committed to similarly fighting H.R. 1491 and pursuing our right to challenge the Camp 4 fee-to-trust action.
The mission of the Santa Ynez Valley Coalition is ensuring that the Santa Ynez Valley residents have a voice in land use decisions affecting our water, environment, public safety, and economy and opposes “Fee to Trust” efforts by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. The Coalition engages in outreach and education efforts with policymakers and residents regarding the importance of maintaining local control of land use in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Member organizations comprising represent the views of thousands of Santa Ynez Valley residents and include: Santa Ynez Valley Concerned Citizens, No More Slots, the Santa Ynez Valley Alliance, and WE Watch.
For more about the Coalition go to http://www.SYVCoalition.com
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Dorene and Eddie Fisher says
Wish I could afford to help you! We’ve been in the Valley for 46 years so are very sensitive to any changes. Lately, more negative than positive! Stress the fact there are houses and property available for their tribal member’s housing all over the Valley, so that excuse is out the window! Those members are given enough money to purchase just about anything they want! They should have to abide by all the rules and regulations I have to abide by! Keep fighting!!! They want to be a soverign nation? Require passports to enter and leave the U.S.! Thank you for all you do, many, many thanks!