The
Bureau of Indian Affairs is standing by its decision to place land into trust for the
Wilton Rancheria.
The BIA approved the tribe's
land-into-trust application on January 19, the last full day of the Obama administration. The record decision was signed by Larry Roberts, who at the time was holding the title of "Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs."
Casino opponents -- including a secretive group called
Stand Up For California -- claim only the "Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs" can approve land-into-trust applications. But the Trump administration rejected that line of thinking in a July 13 letter and dismissed their attempt to appeal the BIA's decision.
"This decision solidly confirms the placing of land into federal trust was valid and that we have every right to continue forward with our economic development plans,” Chairman Raymond “Chuckie” Hitchcock said in a statement quoted by The Elk Grove News.
After the BIA made the decision on January 19, the 36-acre site in Elk Grove, California, was
placed in trust on February 10. Casino opponents, though, still hope to fight the acquisition as part of a lawsuit in federal court that had been put on hold while the administrative appeal was being considered.
The tribe is planning a $400 million casino at the site.
Read More on the Story:
BIA Denies Appeal, Wilton Rancheria Wins Skirmish in Elk Grove Casino War
(The Elk Grove News 7/18)
Federal executive dismisses appeal against proposed EG casino
(The Elk Grove Citizen 7/17)
Appeal against Elk Grove casino effort dismissed
(The Sacramento Business Journal 7/17)
Federal Register Notices:
Final
Environmental Impact Statement and a Revised Draft Conformity Determination for
the Proposed Wilton Rancheria Fee-to-Trust and Casino Project, Sacramento
County, California (December 14, 2016)
Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Wilton Rancheria Fee-to-Trust
and Casino Project, Sacramento County, California (December 29, 2015)
Notice
of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Wilton
Rancheria Fee-to-Trust and Casino Project, Sacramento County, California
(December 4, 2013)
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