Meanwhile, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, with ties to Vallejo, also wrote to the Department of the Interior calling for more transparency. The federation is comprised of Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo groups. Mike Thompson, said a ruling in favor of the Scotts Valley Band will “set a precedent” for all the tribes in the state. Greg Sarris, chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria of Rohnert Park, in a letter to Rep. And the agency has failed to provide any notice to the state. The affected cities and counties are similarly left in the dark. “There has been no notice to the surrounding tribes with historic ties to the area. Department of the Interior secretary Sally Jewell. Dianne Feinstein wrote in a July letter to U.S. “Most troubling is the lack of transparency,” California Sen. 23, Solano County Supervisor Erin Hannigan wrote that the board had learned about the proposed casino almost eight months after the Scotts Valley Band asked the federal government to determine if the property would support a casino.įederal officials, along with nearby tribes, have also expressed concern about the lack of notice and transparency this process has taken compared with how these things have been done in the past, as well as the lack of interest in local input and the unusual speed with which it all seems to be happening.

The city contends the tribe failed to prove a connection to the land, since its ancestral area is located 60 miles away from Vallejo. “Such a casino would entail biological impacts, water impacts, impacts on traffic and noise to the neighboring area, among others.” “Approval of a tribal casino would also unquestionably cause significant impacts to the natural and human environment in and around the city of Vallejo,” Quintana wrote. Department of the Interior, City Attorney Claudia Quintana said that such a casino would “significantly affect” Vallejo by limiting the city’s authority to regulate and tax the land. But, a casino won’t be built there without a fight. The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians is targeting a parcel off of Admiral Callaghan Lane and Columbus Parkway near Interstate 80. An Indian tribe from the Clear Lake area has set its sights on building a casino in Vallejo, much to the chagrin of local officials.

Vallejo casino update