The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians is the first tribe in San Diego County to reach an intergovernmental agreement as required by a new compact with the state of California.

The compact requires the tribe to address off-reservation impacts of its casino. The tribe will pay more than $1.2 million to the county for road improvements, law enforcement fire protection and emergency medical services and compulsive gambling.

The Viejas Band was among the first tribes to sign a new compact with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R). The deal allows the tribes to offer more slot machines in exchange for a share of the revenues.

The deals have brought in far less than expected. Most other tribes have resisted the agreements, saying they are bad for sovereignty.

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Viejas tribe to pay for traffic impacts of casino addition (The San Diego Union Tribune 12/8)