Chumash land

Vincent Armenta, left, tribal chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, and Richard Gomez, vice chairman, at the reservation’s headquarters in Santa Ynez. They insist their development plans are modest.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

“The land would be alienated to the same degree as if it were Portugal,” said Andi Culbertson, left, a land-use lawyer and resident of the valley of the tribe’s plans. With her is Susan Jordan, director of the California Coastal Protection Network.   (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Susan Jordan, director of the California Coastal Protection Network has concerns about the Chumash tribe’s plans to develop a 1,400-acre parcel.   (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

A car travels on Baseline Avenue in Santa Ynez, past a portion of the Camp 4 parcel, which the tribe bought from actor and wine maker Fess Parker before his death in 2010.   (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Herman Figge, left, owner of Central California Wines, and his wife, Sira, owner of Sira’s Salon of Beauty, have neighboring shops along Sagunto Street in Santa Ynez.   (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Cattle graze on land located on the opposite side of the road from the Camp 4 parcel. If made part of the reservation, the parcel would be excluded from many local rules and regulations and exempted from property taxes.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

California 154, renamed Chumash Highway, runs past Camp 4.   (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Community activists in the Santa Ynez Valley portray the proposal as menacing to the Santa Ynez Valley ¿ with far-reaching consequences.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)