It’s good to see representatives from two of my favorite governmental groups back in talks again. Members of the Chumash tribe and representatives from the county are at the table once again talking about all the things they couldn’t agree on when they held monthly talks previously. That is, right before suspending those talks when they realized no one was going to budge and that they might as well table the discussions for the summer break hoping that someone on the other side would soften a bit.
Or maybe it was a strategic play, like in sports when you’re ahead and your team just starts to play a game of keep away to run down the clock.
In this case, there really is someone ahead.
One of the main sticking points between the two entities is taking Camp 4 into trust in order to build tribal housing. The two sides haven’t agreed and so the tribe pursued federal action via a bill to get permission to put the land in trust.
It’s been an issue because county officials want the tribe to include an anti-gaming clause in its agreement with the county, and the tribe doesn’t want to waive its gaming rights at the county level because it already did that at the federal level.
And why would they? I don’t like to waive any rights that I have, regardless of my intentions. Would you?
However, it’s really not about whether the tribe is willing to waive its rights at the county or the federal level. No it’s about land and taxes, and money and gaming, and more importantly, the county’s cut of it all.
So the tribe may not intend to game on the property, but if things ever change at the federal level, if it becomes allowed, then they want to be able to exercise their right without realizing that, “Oh! That’s right, our hands are tied because we waived our right with the county.” And so, a bill, HR 1157, that in essence circumvents the county and would allow the Camp 4 transfer, is working its way through Congress. If it keeps progressing, then an agreement with the county is just a formality.
The real purpose of the talks in that case is about goodwill. Doreen Farr, 3rd District supervisor and ad hoc representative for the county, said that she hopes they can come to an agreement. I hope so too. They’ve been good neighbors. The tribe has done a lot for the community, in terms of economic support. Take for instance the 12th annual Chumash Charity Golf Classic, set for Sept. 22. Among the beneficiaries of the event is Habitat for Humanity. Tribal Chairman Kenneth Kahn said Habitat was selected because it serves a crucial need for housing in the county. Just as long as they don’t take land into federal trust to build that housing, amirite?
Seriously though, I understand the county’s position. I really do, but if HR 1157 is approved by Congress, and the county and tribe don’t come to an agreement, what will that do to relations between the tribe and county moving forward?
The Canary just wants everyone to get along. Contact her at canary@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Sep 15-22, 2016.