Step Up & Protect the Santa Ynez Valley!

Dear Friends of the Santa Ynez Valley,
 
DO YOU THINK IT'S TOO LATE??  THIS IS THE LAST FIGHT!!

Those of us who know and love the unique beauty and charm of the Santa Ynez Valley, are rightfully concerned and afraid for the future of this precious land - and we are enraged at the lack of concern and responsibility shown by our local government and those entrusted to protect it.

Your signature will help to prevent any ADDITIONAL and PLANNED Las Vegas-style Casino expansion, irreversible environmental impact, reduction of the already depleted water table, and increase of crime and traffic in the Santa Ynez Valley.

PLEASE SIGN TO SHOW OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT THAT THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE!

5 years ago, the residents of SYV, with approval of the Board of Supervisors, created the Santa Ynez Community Plan for the controlled development and smart growth of the Santa Ynez Valley for the next 20 years; It was a blueprint for how the citizens of this Valley wished for it to evolve. Ever since, almost everything the Chumash have done is in direct opposition and threat to this 20 year plan.

Just 2 months ago, The Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors' Ad Hoc Committee (Peter Adam and Doreen Farr) proposed language that supports "Fee To Trust"; a clause that grants the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians "no questions asked" liberties and full control of how they develop and grow their land, without any repercussions, benefits to, or consideration towards the citizens and land they benefit from.

If the Board of Supervisors continues to support this, the threat to the existing ecology and way of life in the Santa Ynez Valley is at stake in every way. Our water table is the most depleted and lowest its been in 50 years. The new Casino and hotel will CONSUME OVER 35,000 GALLONS OF WATER PER DAY. The impact on water availability and quality to the rest of the valley (farmers, vineyards, citizens and business owners) is immense. OUR WATER SUPPLY IS IN JEOPARDY, which impacts all of us, not to mention the environment and local ecosystem.

“Fee to Trust” Language is akin to opening Pandora’s Box. It allows the Chumash to do whatever they want, at the expense of the well-being and overall health of the Santa Ynez Valley as we know it, with absolutely no reprecussions to negotiated verbiage on agreements to the land. Once it becomes "Fee to Trust", the Chumash Tribe is now entitled to do whatever they want - even if it is in direct opposition of what they said they were going to do, or what is best for the land and Valley as a whole.

THIS PETITION CALLS ON THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO ACT FOR THE CITIZENS TO OPPOSE THIS OUTRAGEOUS AND IRREVERSIBLE ABUSE OF OUR LAND.

It’s important that we act quickly, and act now. The Board of Supervisors needs to know that we care, and that we are PAYING ATTENTION.
 
Our goal is to get 5,000 signatures this week - and we need your help to do this!!

1. Please Read & Sign this Online Petition

2. Like our Facebook Page so we can update you on news and developments

3. Share this email, the petition and our Facebook page with as many people as possible!

Please help us by signing and sharing this to as many people as you can!!

Thank you so much for your time and support,


~Step Up & Protect the Santa Ynez Valley