California Gov. Newsom Opposes Two New Casino Projects

The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, owner of the Graton Resort & Casino in Sonoma County, commended California Governor Gavin Newsom for his opposition to a recent proposal for new casinos by The Koi Nation of Northern California and the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians.

The Governor's Office wrote a letter to the United States Department of the Interior stating that both projects are outside the tribes' ancestral territories and that the department hasn't looked at other sites within their Lake County homelands.

While the Pomo Indians are preparing a Scotts Valley Casino and Tribal Housing Project in Solano County, the Koi Nation is proposing a Shiloh Resort and Casino Project in Sonoma County. Five tribes that have federal recognition reside in Sonoma County.

The first casino in the county, River Rock Casino near Geyserville, was built in 2002 by the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians. The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria opened Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park in 2013, gaining a sizable portion of River Rock's gaming patronage. The Federated Indians planned to add up to 50% more space to the Graton Resort & Casino in 2022. In 2023, the tribe started construction on the $1 billion project, which continues.

This is the Koi Nation's third effort to purchase land for a casino. Sonoma County records show that the tribe attempted unsuccessfully to establish encampments near the Oakland Airport in 2005 and on Mare Island in Vallejo in 2014.

Federated Indians Chairman Greg Sarris said that the tribe appreciates Governor Newsom's support in protecting tribal sovereignty. Indians from the Southern Pomo and Coast Miwok tribes make up his tribe. Regarding the recommendations made by the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians and the Koi Nation of Northern California, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has the last say.

Currently, River Rock Casino is considering growing. The gaming area and slot machines would be expanded, and it would turn into a "resort" with a brand-new hotel tower and spa. There would be four more gaming tables added to the current 24 and a 1,000 increase in slot machines. Along with adding a new 100-room hotel tower, spa, pool, and 7,000 square feet of dining area, the casino would also transform into a "resort."

The casino is owned by the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians. The county announced that the tribe had released an additional environmental report for the proposed expansion. This announcement prompted a request for public feedback.

According to their website, the Pomo and Wappo tribes lived continuously and successfully for more than five thousand years in the Russian River and Dry Creek Valleys. Since the River Rock extension proposal is being considered on land held in federal trust for the tribe, sometimes referred to as a reserve, the county does not actually have a direct voice in it.

A county representative stated that public input nevertheless will inform the County's comments and government-to-government discussion with the tribe. River Rock was the first casino in the county to operate in 2002. In Sonoma County, as in many other places in the state, there has been a contentious tug-of-war between county officials, locals, and tribes seeking to establish or grow casinos.

Source:

“Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria backs Gov. Gavin Newsom’s call to halt new casinos” , Pete Young, Bay City News, localnewsmatters.org, August 23, 2024.