Artist's rendering of the proposed North Fork Rancheria casino. Image from North Fork Casino Environmental Impact Statement
Voters in California will consider whether the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians can build an off-reservation casino when they go to the polls next month:
Proposition 48 asks Californians to approve an agreement between the North Fork Indian tribe and the state under which the tribe would build a casino on land it historically inhabited but is not on its current reservation. Charlie Banks-Altekruse with the Yes on 48 campaign says the deal has been in the works for 10 years and includes agreements with the federal and local governments. He scoffs at the notion that other tribes would be successful in doing the same thing. “I say good luck to any tribe that wants to go through this process," he says. "It’s extremely difficult. Governor Brown cited the exceptional circumstances of our tribe and said he expected few tribes to qualify for the process.” The North Fork tribe's land is in the Sierra National Forest near Yosemite. The casino would be built about 40 miles away off highway 99. reservations.Get the Story:
Voters To Decide On Off-Reservation Casino (Capital Public Radio 10/6) Also Today:
Whitney Hodges and John Ponder: Tribe’s Gamble That Casino Land Transfer Approval Not Subject to CEQA Pays Off (JD Supra 10/3) California Court of Appeal Decision:
Picayune Rancheria v. Brown (September 24, 2014) Bureau of Indian Affairs Documents:
Press Release | Fact Sheet: North Fork Rancheria Decision | Section 20 Determination: North Fork Rancheria
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