Officials in Butte County, California, are waiting for a decision in their lawsuit that seeks to stop the Mechoopda Tribe from building a casino. The county sued the National Indian Gaming Commission for issuing an Indian lands determination that said the tribe qualified for a "restored" exception in Section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Judge Henry H. Kennedy Jr. of the district court in Washington, D.C., dismissed the claims in a decision in April 2009. The county voted to keep fighting the NIGC. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments on December 10 but a decision hasn't been issued. Meanwhile, the tribe's partner, Station Casinos, filed for bankruptcy. A spokesperson said the tribe still plans to develop a casino at the site. The case is Butte County v. Hogen, No. 09-5179. Get the Story:
Not much new in Mechoopda casino struggle (The Chico Enterprise-Record 6/28) Related Stories:
County to appeal ruling on Mechoopda casino (5/13)
Judge dismisses lawsuit against Mechoopda casino (4/15)
