This is re: a recent Guest Opinion piece by Lanny Ebenstein headlined "Time to start talking to the Chumash."

In sum, the tribe's proposed annexation of almost 1,400 acres off State Route 154 would result in a tax subsidy for a particular special-interest group at the expense of everyone else, our school systems, and those who depend on government services.

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians is attempting — through either administrative or legislative action — to transfer non-contiguous property, 2.2 square miles commonly known as Camp 4, to its reservation, thereby removing the property from Santa Barbara County's jurisdiction and the tax rolls. If allowed to proceed, this action would have serious implications.
Even though this could allow the development of a city almost the size of Carpinteria, the potential danger is far greater than any physical development. As communities across the state and the nation have experienced, the impacts of untaxed, poorly regulated tribal development, and the resulting unfunded mandate for government services, are significant.
Let us be clear. This is not an issue narrowly confined to the Santa Ynez Valley. Santa Barbara County, like most counties statewide, is experiencing great difficulty balancing its budget, providing necessary public services, and constructing and maintaining infrastructure. Loss of local control and the resulting adverse economic and environmental impacts endanger the quality of life for everyone.
A long-term subsidy of special-interest development, not subject to property taxes, impact fees and sales taxes, would diminish the fiscal solvency of our communities and adversely affect our future and our children's futures.
Local jurisdictions that must balance their budgets will have no choice but to cut programs that affect education, health and safety, social services and the environment, to mention a few.
The land and future improvements would create demand for government services, which would not be funded because reservation land is not subject to property taxes and impact fees. Lost property-tax revenues are estimated to be $150 million for 140 homes valued at $1 million each over 50 years.
The former Chumash/Fess Parker project is estimated at $450 million in unfunded demand for public services over 50 years. If developed, the added burdens to traffic and roads, public safety, social services and schools would be forever uncompensated — a "free ride" to one of the county's wealthiest special-interest groups.
Such an act on the tribe's part would be an egregious example of a wealthy few seeking to shift the tax burden to other members of the community.
Although Mr. Ebenstein mentions there might be $1 million of mitigation payments, a few fixed payments over a few years cannot possibly mitigate infinite unlimited impacts forever. The cost to the county and state in terms of unrealized tax revenues could be as much as $1 billion over 50 years.
The tribe may wish to build additional tribal housing, but good governance demands future development of the Camp 4 property be subject to county government elected for and by all citizens in Santa Barbara County.
The county should oppose fee-to-trust annexation, and retain jurisdiction over the 1,400 acres of agriculturally zoned land in the heart of Santa Barbara County.