The Big Lagoon Rancheria blames wealthy tribes for blocking its off-reservation casino proposal.

The tribe originally planed to build a casino on its rancheria in northern California. But conservation groups and local officials are concerned about the impacts on the environment.

That's when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) suggested the tribe look elsewhere. Elsewhere turned out to be more than 700 miles away in Barstow.

The tribe signed a compact with Schwarzenegger but it still hasn't been approved. "Presently the 5 largest wealthiest largest tribes in California are opposed to it," Chairman Virgil Moorehead told KGO-TV.

If the compact fails to win legislative approval, the tribe says it will try to build a casino on the rancheria.

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Indian Tribe Battles To Build Casino In CA's North Coast (KGO-TV 7/24)