Council adopts updated environmental assessment guidelines; staff adds tribal cultural resources with Barbareno Band input

The Santa Barbara City Council on April 29 adopted updated master environmental assessment guidelines for historic resources, archaeological resources and tribal cultural resources.

Staff explained the current guidelines dated 2002 were not fully compliant with recent state legislation governing tribal cultural resources, and the update aligns local environmental review with state law and the city's housing element program to streamline environmental procedures where appropriate. City staff and a retained archaeological consultant engaged in a series of working meetings with tribal representatives, including the Barbareno Band of Chumash Indians; the council received a presentation describing that outreach.

David Stone, a contracted archaeologist, and tribal chair Eleanor Fishburne (who also testified) contributed to the guideline updates. Fishburne told the council the Barbareno Band worked closely with staff and provided cultural context for the document. “We are still here, and we are working diligently to revitalize our culture and...taking charge and moving forward,” Fishburne said.

Council member Sneddon moved, and Council member Harmon seconded, a motion to adopt the new guidelines. The roll call vote was unanimous in favor. The guidelines replace the February 2002 documents and add a new tribal cultural resources component to help staff implement consultation and review procedures locally.

Staff noted the community development director may make administrative updates to the guidelines if minor changes are needed as the city implements the new procedures, and the council asked staff to continue open lines of communication with tribal representatives.