A bill by U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein could pose a problem for Enterprise Rancheria as the tribe nears the end of its quest to open a Yuba County casino.
The bill, co-authored by U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, would clarify standards for a tribe wanting to build a casino project outside areas considered its traditional ancestral area.
Though based in Oroville, tribal members of Enterprise Rancheria, also known as the Estom Yumeka Maidu, have said Yuba County was also part of the lands where their ancestors roamed.
Tribal chairwoman Glenda Nelson (OP: HALL OF SHAME MEMBER) said she thought there was a low possibility of Feinstein's bill affecting the casino's viability, because her tribe's connection to the region is solid.
"Sometimes these bills have different effects," Nelson said, adding the two-step process her tribe is going through, requiring approval from both state and federal authorities, could differentiate Enterprise Rancheria from the kinds of projects Feinstein's bill is aimed at.
Nelson also pointed out the tribe maintains an office in Marysville and partners with other tribes on a health clinic for tribal members in Yuba City.
The proposal for the Enterprise Rancheria hotel and casino, near Sleep Train Amphitheatre on Forty Mile Road, is with the federal Office of Indian Gaming for a final decision on whether the tribe could take the land into trust.
Feinstein's bill, S. 771, the Tribal Gaming Eligibility Act, would allow tribes to open casinos on land taken into trust only if the tribe could demonstrate a substantial modern and aboriginal or ancestral connection to the land.
"The fact is that some tribes have abused their unique right to operate casinos and have ignored the intent of Congress by taking land into trust miles away from their historical lands," Feinstein, D-California, said in a statement announcing the legislation last month. "This is done simply to produce the most profitable casino and the greatest number of potential gamblers, often with little regard to the local communities."
Mooretown Rancheria, an Oroville-based tribe that operates Feather Falls Casino near Oroville, sent Feinstein's office a letter supporting the bill.
"We have a unique perspective on this issue because out-of-state investors have come to our area seeking to move tribes from their aboriginal and historic areas in an effort to develop casino projects in areas closer to population centers," says the April 27 letter signed by Mooretown Rancheria chairman Gary Archuleta.
Archuleta has opposed Enterprise Rancheria's plans, describing them as "reservation shopping," a term also used by Feinstein in her announcement of the legislation.
The press release specifically mentioned California, which has 58 Indian casinos operating, as ground zero for such issues. The bill was introduced and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Feinstein also made reference to a 2006 study showing increased crime and addiction problems in California cities where a casino opened nearby, as well as a strain on local government budgets.
In 2005, Yuba County residents opposed the casino with 52.1 percent in an advisory ballot measure. Yuba County supervisors in 2002 approved a memorandum of understanding with the tribe to cover impacts if the casino is built.
Nelson said she's not sure when the federal government will give final word on taking land into trust, adding only five tribes have completed the two-step process since 1988, when the federal bill allowing Indian casinos was passed.
"If we didn't think we'd be successful, we wouldn't still be going through it," Nelson said. "We are in our area."
3 comments:
WELL NOW, 58 INDIAN CASINOS IN CALIFORNIA. HOW MANY THOUGHTOUT THE NATION? THAT IS ALOT OF INDIANS THAT SHOULD COME OUT AND HELP US WITH OUR PROTEST/RALLY FOR THR "TRIBAL LEADERS CONFERENCE" AT PECHANGA ON JUNE 2. HOW HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS HAVE YOU BEEN SUBJECTED TO IN YOUR RESPECTIVE MEMBERSHIPS? JUNE 2 "IS ONLY ONE DAY OUT OF YOUR LIFE" AND IF YOU ARE TIRED OF YOUR BIRTHRIGHT BEING STOLEN FROM YOU BY THE "CASINO THIEVES," NOW IS THE TIME TO JOIN US, FOR THIS IS NO LONGER A LOCAL ISSUE IN INDIAN COUNTRY, THIS NOW IS "NATIONWIDE." YOU WILL HAVE THE POWER IN NUMBERS TO RECLAIM WHAT WAS "ILLEGALLY STOLEN FROM YOU." IF NOT FOR YOU, FOR YOUR "CHILDRENS BIRTHRIGHT, AND THEIR HERITAGE."
The purpose of the bill introduced by Senator feinstein is to "weed" out those who will take advantage of the tribes (i.e. the Kelly Gearhart, Chris Molina, Robert Grigger Jones etc) who took advantage by filing a business license in two different states fot the proposed Pe Ji Ho Ta venture involving the Salinan Band of mission indians. We were involved because Jones committed fraud and forged our father's signature on a 1st Amendment to his trust which deleted myself and my brother as trustee and beneficiary. Jones did this because he knew our father had over $646,000 in Union Bankcal stocks. The attorney through various legal maneuvers and without infoorming myself or my brother and actually before even opening a legal probate action in the courts, coerced our stepmother after changing everything so she was in charge, conned her into cashing out the stocks which also coincedentally was the exact buy in for the partners to the Pe Ji Ho ta Casino venture. THAT IS WHY this bill is so important. To keep people who will take advantage away from the indian casinos. For more on this feel free to contact me at (760) 413-5660 or nmeek48409@aol.com Hope this was helpful
does feinstien know where this 40 acres of land zoned for entrtainment is??? it is miles out of town and perfect for a casino no matter what tribe builds it. and what does she care except for her lobbyist who line here pockets like the local casinos who dont want the competetion, now, but it mattered not to them when it was their casino being built. we need jobs and growth, eswpecially in the yuba county area for christs sake. it ranks as one of the most depressed areas in the whole U.S.
so why would feinstien oppose such a game changer. this is why americans are so, so tired of politicians that seem to be agaianst the good of the people in order to make it bettere for themselves. it's a bit obvious. besides yuba county wants the casino there, they are not stupid people some 4000 jobs......really DIANE FIENSTIEN.....just stop.
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