California | Openings & Closings

Enterprise Rancheria won't see tribal opposition at Class II site

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

The Enterprise Rancheria plans to build a gaming facility on this site along Forty Mile Road south of Yuba City, California. Image from Google Maps

The Enterprise Rancheria of California hasn't shared a lot of details about its Class II facility but rival tribes with existing casinos won't be opposing the new development.

The tribe is planning to build a 10,000 square-foot facility on a portion of the 40-acre site that was placed in trust by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in December 2012. The project is a lot smaller than the one that drew opposition from the United Auburn Indian Community and the Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians, also known as the Colusa Indian Community.

For that reason, the two rival tribes aren't going to fight the Class II site. The United Auburn Indian Community operates the Thunder Valley Casino Resort about 27 miles away while the Colusa Casino is about 39 miles away.

The Enterprise Rancheria will build a 10,000 square-foot gaming facility on a small portion of a 40-acre site that was placed in trust in December 2012.

Local officials have said they won't oppose the smaller project either but they are wondering whether the tribe will share revenues from it. The city of Marysville already claims it is owed $100,000 because the land is now in trust. The city is supposed to receive $250,000 a year under an intergovernmental agreement.

The Yuba County attorney also said the tribe must start making annual payments once it starts work on the casino, The Marysville/Yuba City Appeal-Democrat reported. The county is supposed to receive $697,120 up front plus annual payments ranging from $800,000 for the first year to a maximum of $5 million in the sixth year, the paper said.

Get the Story:
Attorney: Casino construction triggers payments (The Marysville/Yuba City Appeal-Democrat 7/15)

Bureau of Indian Affairs Documents:
Press Release | Fact Sheet | Two-Part Determination Letter

Federal Register Notice:
Land Acquisitions; Enterprise Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California (December 3, 2012)