The Bureau of Indian Affairs has placed an off-reservation gaming site in trust for the Enterprise Rancheria in California. The BIA published notice of the acquisition in the Federal Register on December 3, 2012. Opponents, including the United Auburn Indian Community and the Colusa Indian Community, filed lawsuits within a 30-day window of appeal. Litigation historically has prompted the BIA to "self-stay" the acquisition until the case is resolved. But the Obama administration quietly rescinded the policy as a result of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Salazar v. Patchak. In Patchak, the Supreme Court ruled that opponents can sue the BIA for up to six years after the land is placed in trust. Essentially, there is no longer a reason to "self-stay" land-into-trust acquisitions, government attorneys say. "It's Indian land now," Enterprise Chairwoman Glenda Nelson told The Yuba City/Marysville Appeal-Democrat. Get the Story:
Yuba County casino property is 'Indian land now' (The Yuba City/Marysville Appeal-Democrat 5/18) Federal Register Notice:
Land Acquisitions; Enterprise Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California (December 3, 2012)
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