Wilton Rancheria takes another huge step forward for casino in California

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Artist's rendering of the Wilton Rancheria's resort project in Elk Grove, California. Image by Wilton Rancheria

Good news keeps coming to the Wilton Rancheria.

The tribe negotiated a Class III gaming compact with the state of California, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) announced on Wednesday. The agreement represents more progress for the tribe's $400 million casino in the city of Elk Grove.

“This is an important day for our people," Chairman Raymond C. Hitchcock said in a press release. "We waited 58 years for our land to be restored and, now, we can look forward to moving ahead toward self-sufficiency, economic development and giving back to the community.”

The announcement comes after the Bureau of Indian Affairs reaffirmed its approval of the land-into-trust application for the casino site. Opponents plan to continue fighting the project with lawsuits against the federal government and at the local level

A provision in the compact recognizes the opposition, The Sacramento Bee reported. If the gaming site is somehow taken out of trust, the agreement is void, the paper said.

The compact itself also needs to be approved by the California Legislature and reviewed by the BIA before it can take effect.

The tribe was restored to federal recognition in 2009 after being illegally terminated in the 1950s.

Read More on the Story:
Giant leap forward for Elk Grove tribal casino (The Sacramento Bee 7/19)
Governor approves gaming compact with Wilton Rancheria (The Elk Grove Citizen 7/19)
Elk Grove casino crosses another hurdle at state level (KCRA 7/19)
Governor signs gaming compact with Wilton Rancheria for Elk Grove casino (The Sacramento Business Journal 7/19)
Gov. Brown Nudges Elk Grove Casino Closer To Reality (CBS13 7/20) $P Federal Register Notices:
Final Environmental Impact Statement and a Revised Draft Conformity Determination for the Proposed Wilton Rancheria Fee-to-Trust and Casino Project, Sacramento County, California (December 14, 2016)
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Wilton Rancheria Fee-to-Trust and Casino Project, Sacramento County, California (December 29, 2015)
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Wilton Rancheria Fee-to-Trust and Casino Project, Sacramento County, California (December 4, 2013)

Related Stories:
Wilton Rancheria again wins backing for casino land-into-trust application (July 18, 2017)
Wilton Rancheria won't comment on status of gaming compact talks (June 27, 2017)
Wilton Rancheria accused of working too closely with city on casino (June 21, 2017)
Charles Banks-Altekruse: Stand up to bullying tactics of shady 'California' group (March 7, 2017)
Wilton Rancheria joins lawsuit as foes challenge casino decision (March 2, 2017)
Bureau of Indian Affairs confirms Wilton Rancheria casino site in trust (February 21, 2017)