BIA rejects casino compact for Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake

Monday, August 23, 2010  

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has rejected a Class III gaming compact for the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake of California.

The BIA said the agreement violated the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Specifically, the provisions regarding revenue sharing and exclusivity raised concerns for Assistant Secretary Larry Echo Hawk.

"This is devastating but I don't think we're done," Chair Sherry Treppa told Lake County News in response to the BIA's decision.

The tribe had broken ground on a $25 million casino but stopped work to wait for BIA approval of the compact. Treppa said the agreement was re-submitted twice in the last six months as officials in Echo Hawk's office indicated they might reject it.

Get the Story:
Department of the Interior disapproves Habematolel gaming compact; tribe vows to continue efforts (The Lake County News 8/23)

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Habematolel Pomo await BIA approval for gaming compact (6/1)