Viejas Band first to reach casino impact deal

Thursday, December 8, 2005  

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.

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