The Koi Nation of Northern California says it has pursued regulatory approvals for its Shiloh Resort & Casino in “full accordance with federal law.”
The tribe’s statement comes in response to opposition from California governor Gavin Newsom to the planned construction of the property in Sonoma County.
In a letter, Newsom ordered the US Department of the Interior (DOI) not to allow the project to move forward, citing concerns that it ignores the priorities of tribal governments and other local communities, and stretches the ‘restored lands’ exception “beyond its legal limits.”
Gov. Newsom also voiced concerns that the plan fails to “adequately consider whether there might be a better way” to go about the casino resort’s construction.
In a statement, Dino Beltran, vice chair and director of development at the Koi Nation of Northern California, said: “Despite our nation’s best efforts to educate stakeholders about our eligibility to seek gaming-eligible trust land under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act’s (IGRA) ‘restored lands’ exception, it is evident that the Governor’s opposition reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of federal law.
“Project approvals from the US Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) would not represent a departure from precedent.
“To the contrary, IGRA’s ‘restored lands’ exception was designed precisely to correct historic wrongs that rendered landless tribes like the Koi, depriving them of opportunities to develop and achieve economic self-sufficiency.
“Our right to pursue gaming according to this provision of federal law was affirmed by Judge Beryl A. Howell of the US District Court for the District of Columbia in Koi Nation v Zinke (2019).”
The Koi Nation project, worth US$600m, is slated to be situated on 68 acres of land the tribe purchased in Sonoma County in 2021. The idea is for the third Las Vegas-style casino and resort in the county to feature 2,500 slot and gaming machines as well as hotel, restaurant and food amenities.
“While we would have welcomed an opportunity to brief Governor Newsom in advance of the submission of the letter, we remain committed to continual communication with him, his administration and all key stakeholders,” Beltran said.
“This has been our approach from the start and will continue to be so through the conclusion of this legal process and into the future.”
