The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians in California is hoping to avoid controversy that follows the tribe whenever it gets into the land-into-trust process.

The tribe wants to acquire a 425-acre federal surplus property that's home to cultural and historic sites, including a cave with pictographs. But rather than have the land placed in trust, the Bureau of Indian Affairs wants it held in fee status for the tribe.

"Putting the land into trust gets us even more opposition than taking the fee ownership. It raises this casino issue and gets everyone upset," Sam Cohen, the tribe's government affairs and legal officer, told The Ventura County Star.

The property is currently managed by NASA and served as a rocket engine and nuclear test site. It would require remediation before the tribe could take control of the land.

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Chumash looking to acquire portion of Santa Susana Field Lab (The Ventura County Star 10/16)