Mechoopda Tribe lacks funding to continue with casino plan

Thursday, June 13, 2013  

The Mechoopda Tribe of California has run out of money to defend its gaming land-into-trust application, Vice Chairwoman Sandra Knight said.

After a lengthy battle that included a trip to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, the Bureau of Indian Affairs agreed to place 645 acres in trust for the tribe. But the state has objected and the tribe lacks funds to pursue the casino, Knight told The Oroville Mercury Register.

Officials in Butte County had been opposing the application but this is the first time the state has raised concerns, Knight said. Among other issues, the state claims the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar bars the acquisition because the Mechoopda were restored to federal recognition after being terminated by an act of Congress.

Get the Story:
Mechoopda unable to fight state opposition to tribe land trust (The Oroville Mercury Register 6/13)

Mechoopda Tribe weighs move after losing gaming land decision