The Habematolel Pomo of
Upper Lake of California expects the Bureau of Indian Affairs will approve its new Class III gaming compact.
The tribe started work on the $28 million Running Creek Casino after signing a compact in 2010. But work came to a halt when the BIA questioned the deal and ultimately rejected it in August.
"We were in debt $12 million when the denial came through," Chair Sherry Treppa told The Lake County Record-Bee.
The tribe signed a new deal with Gov. Jerry Brown (D) that addresses revenue-sharing issues raised by the BIA. If the new compact is approved, the 33,000-square-foot casino could be up and running by the end of the year."
"We absolutely feel like this project is going to get approved," Treppa told the paper.
Get the Story:Casino plans in Upper Lake closer to fruition (The Lake County Record Bee 4/1) Related Stories:
Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake negotiates new gaming deal (3/24)
BIA rejects casino compact for Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake (8/23)