Enterprise Rancheria to pursue permanent off-reservation casino

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

The site plan for a permanent Class II gaming facility along Forty Mile Road in Yuba County, California, was filed in federal court. Image from Enterprise Rancheria

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The Enterprise Rancheria of California now plans to open a permanent off-reservation casino instead of a temporary one.

Documents filed in federal court show a 105,750 square-foot Class II facility on 40 acres of trust land in Yuba County. That's still a lot smaller than the Class III casino that was originally planned at the site but it's much larger than the temporary building the tribe announced earlier this year.

"The tribe plans to construct a permanent structure housing a casino at the Yuba Site," a notice filed on August 31 stated. "The facility will include a Class II gaming floor, eating and drinking establishments, office space, a meeting and conference room, employee areas, and "back-of- house" facilities (e.g., engineering, security, mechanical plant, electrical, information technology)."

The Enterprise Rancheria plans to build a gaming facility on this site along Forty Mile Road south of Yuba City. Image from Google Maps

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The reason for the shift in plans was financial, according to the notice. The tribe was able to secure financing for a permanent casino, attorneys said.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs approved the casino under the two-part determination provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Gov. Jerry Brown (D) concurred but the tribe's Class III gaming compact was never ratified by the California Legislature amid opposition from rivals with existing facilities.

While a lawsuit was pending in federal court, the BIA went ahead and placed the 40-acre site in trust for the Enterprise Rancheria. That means the tribe can engage in Class II gaming.

The United Auburn Indian Community and the Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians, also known as the Colusa Indian Community, have indicated that they won't oppose the Class II facility.

Get the Story:
Yuba County casino expands in plans (The Marysville/Yuba City Appeal-Democrat 9/8) $P 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) Related Stories:
Enterprise Rancheria won't see tribal opposition at Class II site (07/15)
Editorial: Enterprise Rancheria fails to share details on gaming (7/14)
Enterprise Rancheria still hopes to open Class III gaming facility (7/13)
Enterprise Rancheria won't face local opposition to Class II casino (7/9)
Enterprise Rancheria to break ground on Class II gaming facility (06/19)
Off-reservation gaming dead in tracks after California election (04/06)