Stricter regulations were put in place for later compacts, she said. It also would allow the tribe to avoid many development regulations, much as it is doing with the casino expansion.įarr says the issue shows that counties should have a stronger voice in discussions over development and expansion by tribes with original contracts negotiated when Indian gaming was legalized in California nearly two decades ago.
If successful, the Chumash would assert similar jurisdiction over the land as it does over its existing reservation. The tribe is working through Congress and the federal government to use a land transfer program called 'fee to trust' for the property. It plans to build 143 homes for tribal members and descendants on the property. The band bought the 1,400 acres, known as Camp 4, in 2010 from the late actor Fess Parker. Tensions are already high among some valley residents because the Chumash band is trying to effectively annex land about 2 miles away from its reservation 30 miles northeast of Santa Barbara.
