County fire marshals can't inspect tribe's casino

Friday, April 6, 2007  

In an unpublished opinion, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked a California county from conducting fire inspections at a tribal casino.

The Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians operates the River Rock Casino. The county claimed it had a right to send fire inspectors to the facility.

The 9th Circuit disagreed, saying the state can't impose its regulations on the tribe. The court also noted that provisions in the tribal-state compact require tribes to meet fire-safety requirements and require regular inspections by a tribal-qualified inspectors.

Get the Story:
Tribal casino is favored in court ruling (The San Francisco Chronicle 4/6)