Artist's rendering of the proposed North Fork Rancheria casino. Image from North Fork Casino Environmental Impact Statement
Newspaper urges "no" vote on Proposition 48 to reject an off-reservation gaming deal for the North Fork Rancheria in California:
Indian gaming should be done on Indian land. That principle was established by statewide propositions approved in 1998 and 2000. The commitment is being tested this year by Proposition 48, which would approve gaming compacts with Central Valley tribes off reservation land. Riverside County tribes oppose the compacts because it violates the agreement approved by nearly two-thirds of California voters in 2000. The local tribes' casinos are in fairly urbanized areas such as Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, Cabazon and Temecula. The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians' land is isolated in the foothills of the Sierra. The Wiyot Tribe owns land near the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge and the state opposes building a casino there because of environmental concerns. Working with Las Vegas gambling giant Stations Casinos Inc., the North Fork tribe bought 305 acres along Highway 99, a well-traveled route. The California Legislature worked out a deal in which the North Fork tribe would operate a casino and the Wiyot Tribe could get up to 3.5 percent of slot machine revenue. Stations Casinos Inc. would get 30 percent of revenue. The package was approved by the governor and the federal government. However, rival tribes circulated petitions to put the agreement on the ballot. A yes vote approves the compacts.Get the Story:
Our Voice: Keep Indian gaming on tribal properties (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 10/30) Another Opinion:
George Skelton: A voter guide to California's boring but important ballot propositions (The Los Angeles Times 10/30) 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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