Enterprise Rancheria defends plans for Class II gaming facility

Wednesday, September 16, 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 is defending plans for its permanent Class II gaming facility amid questions from local opponents and rival tribes.

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 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.

Local opponents, however, claim the tribe hasn't provided enough information about the change in plans. Along with the United Auburn Indian Community and the Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians, also known as the Colusa Indian Community, they are asking Judge Troy L. Nunley to hold a hearing to help clear the air.

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

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"Because Enterprise has refused to provide details about its planned project, absent additional clarification, plaintiffs have a very limited ability to assess whether they need to seek injunctive relief from this court," the local opponents and the two tribe said in a filing on Friday.

The Enterprise Rancheria disputed the characterization of events in a response filed on Monday. The tribe said it offered to work with the plaintiffs to address their concerns.

"The tribe has explained what will be built on the Yuba Site," the filing stated. "The tribe has provided a site plan showing the features of the development and identifying the portions of the Yuba Site on which construction will occur. The tribe has explained when construction is scheduled to begin."

Judge Nunley has called a hearing on October 22 to get an update on the dispute.

Get the Story:
Casino sides clash in court (The Marysville/Yuba City Appeal-Democrat 9/16) $P Bureau of Indian Affairs Documents:
Press Release | Fact Sheet | Two-Part Determination Letter