The Guidiville Band of Pomo Indians reached a major land protection deal as part of its plan to build a casino in Richmond, California.

The tribe agreed to pay at least $48 million to protect land around the Point Molate Naval Fuel Depot. As reported by The Contra Costa Times, the deal calls for $35 million in open-space purchases; another $5 million to design and maintain those lands; $3 million more for preparatory work and easements; and $5 million to complete the Bay Trail and hillside trails.

"This is going to be incredibly beneficial for the environment," Robert Cheasty of Citizens for East Shore Parks said a press conference, The San Francisco Chronicle reported. "This settlement gives us way, way, way more than what we would have gotten in our lawsuit."

The deal settles a lawsuit filed in 2008. It also comes before voters in Richmond give their say on the casino plan in a non-binding referendum.

The tribe plans to build the $1.2 billion Point Molate Resort at Point Molate. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has released a draft environmental impact statement and environmental impact report on the project.

Get the Story:
Richmond casino deal by environmentalists, tribe (The San Francisco Chronicle 10/21)
Tribe, developer, environmental groups announce major shoreline deal (The Contra Costa Times 10/21)
Point Molate Lawsuit Settles; Some Casino Foes Doubtful (The Berkeley Daily Planet 10/20)

Related Stories:
Opinion: Business community supports Guidiville Band casino (10/18)
Editorial: Guidiville Band casino the wrong idea for the Bay Area (9/21)
Guidiville Band casino plan an issue in mayoral race in Richmond (9/10)
Judge won't change wording on Guidiville Band casino referendum (8/31)
Guidiville Band casino to go before voters in advisory referendum (7/22)
Developer of Guidiville Band casino opposes public vote on project (7/21)
Guidiville Band prepared to start with Class II at Bay Area casino (7/14)
City backing for Guidiville Band casino not expected until 2011 (7/7)
City extends discussions for casino deal with Guidiville Band (5/19)
Anti-casino group says more oppose Guidiville Band plan (4/27)