"We commend Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Tracy, for wading into this high-stakes conflict between long-distance Indian tribes and local government leaders. He holds a possible solution. The chairman of the House Resources Committee, which oversees Indian affairs, wants to amend the 1988 act that regulates Indian gaming on reservations. Pombo wants to limit �reservation shopping� which enables tribes without land of their own to look for suitable land elsewhere.

To end �reservation shopping,� Pombo wants to establish two new Indian Economic Opportunity Zones per state. These mini-Las Vegas strips would include one on and one off the reservation. Pombo envisions multiple casinos, resorts and entertainment and shopping centers in each zone.

Another major part of Pombo�s draft legislation would give local government a greater role in planning the casino zones. Indian tribes, especially those without a casino, are opposed to local control since tribal land always has been sovereign � unaffected by local ordinance and codes."

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End land shopping for Indian casinos (The Tracy Press. 6/23)