The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria of California launched a program to help residents near its casino monitor their water supplies.
The tribe is paying the Sotoyome Resource Conservation District $126,035 to test water levels in wells. The data will be used to determine whether property owners will be compensated if their wells become unusable within three years of the casino opening. Additionally, the tribe is paying $1.5 million to Sonoma County for a groundwater project. After four years, the tribe will make $275,000 annual payments for the program. The casino is due to open later this year. A hotel is also in the works. Get the Story: