Wilton Rancheria sees more support for Class III gaming compact in California

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

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

Supporters of the Wilton Rancheria are calling for ratification of the tribe's Class III gaming compact in California.

The California Assembly's Governmental Organization Committee took testimony on Assembly Bill 1606, which ratifies the compact, on Wednesday. According to The Elk Grove Citizen, local officials and union representatives spoke in favor of the tribe's project.

“What I find very admirable is their goal to become self-sufficient to where they’re funding themselves and funding their own programs and getting themselves off of the United States’ taxpayers,” Elk Grove City Council member Pat Hume told the committee, the paper reported.

The California Senate passed the compact bill on August 24 so it just needs to clear the Assembly before it can be signed into law. After that, the agreement can be sent to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for review.

On January 19, the last full day of the Obama administration, the BIA approved the land-into-trust application for the 36-acre casino site in Elk Grove. The Trump administration has since confirmed that the land is in trust, although opponents are seeking to reverse the decision.

The tribe has not set a firm date for the start of construction. Chairman Raymond “Chuckie” Hitchcock has indicated that work will begin within the next three years.

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

Read More on the Story:
Casino supporters make case to Senate committee (The Elk Grove Citizen August 29, 2017) $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)

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