The Lytton Rancheria of California has welcomed Governor Gavin Newsom’s letter to the US Department of the Interior (DOI), which asks the Department to, ‘not move forward with the Shiloh Resort and Casino Project (Koi Nation of Northern California) in Sonoma County and the Scotts Valley Casino and Tribal Housing Project (Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians) in Solano County.’
The letter, which strengthens the widespread concerns of tribal governments, elected officials, and local communities, also reinforces the lack of perceived support for the two proposed casino projects.
Koi Nation wants to develop the Shiloh Resort & Casino on its property at 222 E. Shiloh Road. It would house a 2,500 Class III gaming machine facility, a 400-room hotel, six restaurant and food service areas, a meeting center and a spa.
The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians wants to build a $700m casino resort in Vallejo, California. It has has applied to the federal government for permission to build the casino on a 128-acre site near I-80 and Highway 37 under the authority of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The $700m, 400,000-square-foot casino resort in Vallejo, California would offer a casino, restaurants, a hotel and spa, and a family entertainment center with a movie theater, arcade, and a bowling alley.
In the letter, Governor Newsom’s Office cites concerns that the DOI is departing from specific procedural pathways and important safeguards typically taken by tribes who wish to restore tribal land and establish a casino.
The letter also highlights concerns about the potential expansion of gaming to land that is not currently eligible for tribal gaming and emphasizes the fact that the proposed lands for both projects fall far outside the historical homelands of the Koi Nation and Scotts Valley Band.
The letter states that Governor Newsom is, “concerned that these specific projects are proceeding in a manner that would sidestep the State, ignore the concerns of tribal governments and other local communities, and stretch the “restored lands” exception beyond its legal limits – while failing to adequately consider whether there might be a better way.”
“We thank Governor Gavin Newsom for voicing his concerns about the Shiloh Resort and Casino Project and the Scotts Valley Casino and Tribal Housing Project,” said Lytton Rancheria Tribal Chairperson Andy Mejia. “Unfortunately, these two projects are being recklessly advanced in an unprecedented way without important safeguards – which could have disastrous consequences for the local environment and surrounding communities. Both of these projects are opposed by the native peoples actually indigenous to these sites and supported by tribes from outside Solano and Sonoma Counties.”
The proposed Koi Nation project also faces opposition from the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, the Windsor Town Council, state Senator Mike McGuire, Congressman Jared Huffman, Congressman Mike Thompson, and Senator Alex Padilla.
The proposed Scotts Valley Band project also faces opposition from Solano County, Congressman John Garamendi, and Senator Alex Padilla.
