Law
Colorado River Indian Tribes evict non-Indian at recreation area
The Colorado River Indian Tribes evicted a non-Indian man who managed a recreation area on the reservation.

Bob Johnson claimed that the Water Wheel Resort is not part of the reservation. He also refused to submit to tribal court jurisdiction but a federal judge ruled that the recreation area entered into a "consensual relationship" with the tribe.

Johnson is asking the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to review the case. But the court last week declined to issue an injunction that could have prevented the tribe from taking action.

Residents of the Water Wheel Resort hold leases with the tribe but many have refused to pay rent . The tribe wants to negotiate new leases.

Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, Water Wheel Camp Recreation Area v. LaRance.

Get the Story:
Colorado River dispute leads to eviction (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 9/14)

District Court Decision:
Water Wheel Camp Recreation Area v. LaRance (September 23, 2009)

Related Stories:
County won't intervene in Colorado River Indian Tribes lease flap (7/28)
Non-Indians continue to fight Colorado River Indian Tribes on rent (7/27)
Judge backs CRIT authority over non-Indians (9/30)