California | Litigation | Openings & Closings

Cachil Dehe Band continues fight over Enterprise Rancheria casino

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

A view of the Colusa Casino Resort in Colusa, California. Photo from Facebook

The Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians, also known as the Colusa Indian Community, continues to fight a rival tribal casino development.

The tribe operates the Colusa Casino in Colusa. The Enterprise Rancheria is planning to open a Class II facility near Yuba City, about 39 miles away.

The distance prompted Judge Troy L. Nunley to reject some of the Cachil Dehe Band's claims in a lawsuit that challenges the new development. The Bureau of Indian Affairs did not have to consult the tribe because the Colusa Casino is not within 25 miles of the Enterprise site, the 33-page decision stated.

But the Cachil Dehe Band contends Nunley failed to consider claims about the BIA's handling of the environmental impact statement for the project. The tribe is asking seeking a reconsideration of his September 24 ruling, The Marysville / Yuba City Appeal-Democrat reported.

The Enterprise Rancheria plans to build a gaming facility at this site along Forty Mile Road south of Yuba City. Image from Google Maps

"Colusa did not argue that it should be free of competition, but that should not facilitate the destruction of the primary source of its governmental revenues without relying upon the 'high quality information' and 'accurate scientific analysis' required" under federal environmental law, the tribe wrote in its motion, the paper said.

Nunley has scheduled a hearing for December 10, the paper reported. Meanwhile, the Enterprise Rancheria has not said when it will break ground on the 105,000 square-foot facility at the site.

The BIA placed the 40-acre site in trust in December 2012. It's located along Forty Mile Road, not far from the Toyota Amphitheatre, a major entertainment venue.

Get the Story:
Colusa Casino tribe challenges Enterprise ruling (The Marysville / Yuba City Appeal-Democrat 10/25)

Bureau of Indian Affairs Documents:
Press Release | Fact Sheet | Two-Part Determination Letter

Federal Register Notice:
Land Acquisitions; Enterprise Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California (December 3, 2012)