County weighs appeal of Ione Band gaming ruling

Wednesday, January 30, 2008  

Officials in Amador County, California, are weighing an appeal after losing a court case over the casino sought by the Ione Band of Miwok Indians.

In December, a federal judge dismissed the county's suit against the Bush administration. Judge Lawrence K. Karlton said the county has to wait until the Bureau of Indian Affairs takes land into trust for the tribe's casino.

The tribe has a land-into-trust application for 228 acres in the county. The BIA says the Ione Band is a "restored" tribe and can acquire the land without state approval.

Chairman Matt Franklin hopes the tribe can sit down and talk with county officials. But the county's administrative officer said the county still opposes to the casino.

Get the Story:
Plymouth opens dialogue with county, not tribe (The Amador Ledger-Dispatch 1/29)