Appeals court rejects lawsuit over Graton Rancheria casino

Monday, June 7, 2010  

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed a lawsuit that was aimed at stopping the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria from opening a casino in California.

In an unpublished opinion, the court said a group called Stop the Casino 101 Coalition failed to show how it was affected by approval of the tribe's land-into-trust application. The court noted that the Interior Department had not yet approved an actual casino at the site.

"Injuries related to the possible building of a casino are hypothetical and not fairly traceable to an agency action that affirmatively declined to determine whether or not a casino could be built on the property," the court said, referring to the 254-acre site that is being placed in trust.

The tribe was recognized through an act of Congress. The law directed the Bureau of Indian Affairs to acquire land in trust for the tribe.

Get the Story:
Appeals court rejects challenge to Rohnert Park casino (The Santa Rosa Pres-Democrat 6/5)

9th Circuit Decision:
Stop The Casino 101 Coalition v. Salazar (June 3, 2010)

Earlier Stories:
Opinion: Allow public vote on Graton Rancheria casino (2/25)
Editorial: Apologize for attack on leader's ancestry (2/22)
Coast Miwok Tribe stands by ancestry of chairman (2/18)
Anti-casino group challenges tribal chair's ancestry (2/11)
Opinion: Indian gaming policy shuts out critics (9/18)
Graton Chairman: Indian gaming bill was unfair (9/15)
Anti-tribal gaming bill slowly dying in California (9/3)
Referendum sought on Graton Rancheria casino (9/3)
BIA delays action on Graton Rancheria casino bid (7/6)
Appeal weighed in Graton Rancheria casino suit (4/30)
Judge dismisses lawsuit over Graton Rancheria casino (4/23)