The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians in central California has put it unambiguously in writing in its land into trust application: no gaming on the 1,400 acres. Instead, the tribe will use the land for housing, economic development, and no gaming.
The tribe operates Chumash Casino Resort, about three miles from the 1,400 acres.
The application, in a break from the norm, is being shepherded through Congress instead of by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. This is rare, but not unheard of. H.R. 1491 prohibits the tribe from every engaging in gaming on the property, which is identified as “Camp 4.” The bill has not been introduced in the Senate yet.
Tribal Chairman Kenneth Kahn told the Solvang Valley News, “We felt, let’s show our cards. So we put a clause in not to allow gaming on the land.”
