The Enterprise Rancheria of California will be moving forward with a Class II facility without facing local opposition.
The tribe secured approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Gov. Jerry Brown (D) for an off-reservation casino in Yuba County. The project, however, remains in limbo due to litigation from rival tribes with existing casinos and reluctance from the state to enter into a new Class III gaming compact.
With no end in sight to the dispute, the Enterprise Rancheria is moving forward with gaming, although on a smaller scale than originally envisioned. Plans call for a 10,000 square-foot facility on the 40-acre site that was placed into trust by the BIA in December 2012.
"The Temporary Facility will be strictly limited to Class II gaming, and
therefore will not require a tribal-state compact," the tribe said in a June
15 notice in federal court.
As a result, some local groups and residents that objected to the original casino are stepping back. They filed a response stating that they will not fight the Class II facility as long as the tribe sticks to its new plan.
"We know little about this temporary project other than what Enterprise has represented in its notice, but, relying upon enterprise’s representations, the plaintiffs do not intend to seek an injunction against the construction of the temporary Class II facility as described in Enterprise’s notice," the plaintiffs wrote on July 2.
"The plaintiffs do, however, reserve their right to seek injunctive relief against any construction activities that go beyond or are inconsistent with the terms of Enterprise’s notice," they added.
The United Auburn Indian Community and the Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians, also known as the Colusa Indian Community, are part of the case as well. They have not yet filed a response to the Enterprise Rancheria's plan.
Get the Story:
Casino opponents won’t try to block small-scale plans
(The Yuba City/Marysville Appeal-Democrat 7/9)
Bureau of Indian Affairs Documents:
Press
Release | Fact
Sheet | Two-Part
Determination Letter
Federal Register Notice:
Land
Acquisitions; Enterprise Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California (December
3, 2012)
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gaming dead in tracks after California election (04/06)
Editorial:
Vote on Enterprise Rancheria Class III gaming compact (08/25)
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Rancheria sues state over delayed Class III compact (08/21)
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