Napa County in California will ask the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to rejoin the Mishewal Wappo Tribe federal recognition lawsuit.

A federal judge removed the county from the tribe's suit last month, citing a lack of "significant protectable interests." The county has until October 28 file an appeal.

"Napa County has significant, protectable economic interests at stake in the Wappo suit, because the relief sought by the plaintiff could impact our Agricultural Preserve, our comprehensive land-use regulations and our quality of life here," supervisor Keith Caldwell said in a statement to The Napa Valley Register.

The tribe was listed for termination in an act of Congress. The lawsuit accuses of the federal government of failing to comply with the law.

The tribe and the Obama administration are in settlement talks.

Get the Story:
County to appeal its ouster from Wappo suit (The Napa Valley Register 10/17)

Related Stories:
Opinion: Mishewal Wappo recognition will only lead to a casino (10/9)
Judge removes counties from Mishewal Wappo recognition suit (10/4)
Mishewal Wappo Tribe testifies at hearing on federal recognition (06/26)