Opponents of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians in California held a meeting last week to generate opposition to the tribe's development plans.

The tribe acquired 1,400 acres last year on the open market. A portion of the land will be used for housing but opponents claim the tribe wants a second casino.

“They can say they want to build an ice cream stand but once the land goes into trust, all bets are off," said John Mark Rochefort, an attorney for Preservation of Los Olivos, The Solvang Valley News reported.

The tribe wants the land placed in trust but hasn't filed an application with the Bureau of Indian Affairs so far. The tribe could also go to Congress.

Get the Story:
Public urged to fight tribal annexation (The Solvang Valley News 9/1)
Chumash Indians, Santa Ynez Residents Clash Over Camp (The Santa Barbara Independent 9/1)

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