The
Mechoopda Tribe plans to move forward with a long-delayed casino in California after securing victory in court.
The
D.C. Circuit Court of
Appeals on Friday backed the tribe's land-into-trust application. In a press release quoted by The Chico Enterprise-Record, Chairman Dennis Ramirez said the unanimous decision recognizes the tribe's connections to the 645-acre site in Butte County.
"The Mechoopda Indian Tribe looks forward to advancing our proposed casino project," Ramirez said. "In doing so, we plan to drive economic development in Butte County for years to come.”
But the county doesn't appear to be accepting defeat easily. Supervisor Steve Lambert told Action News Now that the casino will bring problems to the area.
“As far as the county side, I don't see any upside to it,” Lambert told the station.
The
Bureau of Indian Affairs placed the land in trust for the tribe in February 2014. The agency had arrived at the same decision in May 2008, during the Bush administration, but litigation required another look at the application.
Read More on the Story:
Mechoopda win Butte County’s federal court appeal on proposed casino
(The Chico Enterprise-Record April 13, 2018)
Another Casino may Soon Come to the North State
(Action News Now April 16, 2018)
Indianz.Com on SoundCloud: D.C.
Circuit Court of Appeals Butte County v. Chaudhuri
D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Decision:
Butte
County v. Chaudhuri (April 13, 2018)
Prior D.C. Circuit Decision:
Butte
County v. Hogen (July 13, 2010)
Federal Register Notice:
Land
Acquisitions; Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria of California
(February 27, 2014)
National Indian Gaming Commission Indian Lands Opinions:
January
24, 2014 |
March
14, 2003
Join the Conversation
Related Stories
Mechoopda
Tribe scores victory in long-running fight over homelands (April 13, 2018)
