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North Fork Rancheria defeats casino opponents in yet another case

Wednesday, September 7, 2016


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The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians keeps racking up legal victories in its long-running quest to open a casino in California.

This time, the tribe and the Bureau of Indian Affairs defeated a challenged filed by Stand Up for California! and other opponents. In a lengthy ruling issued on Tuesday, a federal judge said the tribe's land was properly placed in trust by the BIA.

"While the plaintiffs’ many concerns about the impending casino development are understandable, the law is not on their side," Judge Beryl Howell wrote in the 170-page decision, McClatchy DC reported.

The North Fork Rancheria plans to open a casino on a 305-acre parcel in Madera County. The project was approved by the BIA and the state of California after the tribe went through a=the rigorous and lengthy two-part determination process of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Opponents -- including other tribes with existing gaming facilities -- have tried to stop the project at the state and federal level and in the courts and through the political process. The efforts have resulted in numerous delays but the North Fork Rancheria continues to prevail.

Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, Stand Up for California v. Department of the Interior.

Read More on the Story:
North Fork tribe gets court OK to build casino along Highway 99 (McClatchy DC 9/7) $P Class III Gaming Procedures:
Bureau of Indian Affairs Letter | Secretarial Procedures | Mediator's Compact

Tribal Leader Opinions on H.R.5079, the California Compact Protection Act:
Maryann McGovran: Don't be fooled by efforts of 'wealthy' tribes (5/13)
Claudia Gonzales: Off-reservation gaming fuels attacks on tribes (5/13)

Bureau of Indian Affairs Documents for North Fork Rancheria:
Press Release | Fact Sheet | Section 20 Determination

Federal Register Notices:
Indian Gaming (October 22, 2013)
Land Acquisitions; North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California (December 3, 2012)

Related Stories:
North Fork Rancheria wins final decision in gaming compact case (08/30)
North Fork Rancheria saddened by rival tribe's anti-casino efforts (08/03)
North Fork Rancheria wins federal approval to offer Class III games (8/1)
Chukchansi Tribe still trying to prevent another tribe from opening casino (07/14)
Editorial: North Fork Rancheria gaming plan must come to an end (05/19)
Steve Stallings: Compact process respects tribal and state rights (5/16)
Bryan Newland: Bill grants states a veto over tribal gaming rights (5/16)
Rick Farinelli: Lawmaker wrong to sponsor anti-Indian casino bill (5/16)
Maryann McGovran: Don't be fooled by efforts of 'wealthy' tribes (5/13)
Claudia Gonzales: Off-reservation gaming fuels attacks on tribes (5/13)
County in California blasts lawmaker for anti-Indian gaming bill (5/13)
North Fork Rancheria gets closer to new Class III gaming compact (05/09)
Bill blocks Class III gaming at two specific off-reservation casinos (5/6)
New bill takes aim at casinos opposed by rival tribes in California (5/2)