Editorial: Tule River Tribe deserves support for casino relocation

The Tule River Tribe have been good stewards of their casino profits. It has invested wisely and moving the casino, while a big investment, is a solid investment designed to bring more returns to the tribe and the local economy.

The tribe is not just moving the casino. It has an ambitious plan to build a 250-room hotel, a convention and conference center, an entertainment center, along with an improved casino. It will double the number of people employed at the casino from 500 today to approximately 1,000 when the complex is opened.

However, the most important reason for moving the casino is for the betterment of the tribe. The casino demands a lot of water — water which is scare on the reservation because the tribe must rely on the Tule River for its water supply and that is not so reliable. Because of the scarcity of water, the tribe has had to place a moratorium on new housing and there is a need for more housing on the reservation. By moving the casino, and efforts underway to secure some more water for the reservation, that home construction can resume which will improve life for many wishing to live there.