Artist's rendering of proposed Cloverdale Rancheria casino in Sonoma County, California. Image from Cloverdale Rancheria Fee-to-Trust and Resort Casino Project
>
The Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Indians is getting closer to a final decision on its casino project in northern California.
The tribe plans to build a casino and hotel on 65 acres in Sonoma County. Initial plans called for a $320 million but the size depends on market conditions, a spokesperson said.
The tribe started the process more than seven years ago. In that time, the Federated Indians of Graton
Rancheria opened the $825 million Graton Resort and Casino in the county.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs published the final environmental impact statement for the project in April. The comment period closes June 2, sometime after which a record of decision will be issued.
The Cloverdale Rancheria qualifies for an exception in Section 20 of the Indian
Gaming Regulatory Act that applies to tribes that were restored to federal
recognition. The tribe was restored in 1983 as part of the Tillie
Hardwick litigation.
The tribe received a favorable Indian
lands determination from the National Indian Gaming Commission in
2009.
Get the Story:
Cloverdale tribe forging ahead with casino plan
(The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat 5/17)
Federal Register Notice:
Final
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Proposed Los Coyotes Band of
Cahuilla and Cupeňo Indians 23-Acre Fee-to-Trust Transfer and Casino-Hotel
Project, City of Barstow, San Bernardino County, California (April 18, 2014)
Related Stories:
BIA advances off-reservation casino projects in California (4/18)
Cloverdale
Rancheria loses a part of casino site in foreclosure (10/13)