Federal court decision hinders development of Koi Nation's Sonoma Casino project
In a recent ruling, Judge Rita F. Lin of the Northern District of California has thrown a wrench in the works for the Shiloh Casino and Resort project, a $600 million casino resort planned by the Koi Nation near Windsor in California's wine country. The development, which would provide approximately 1,100 permanent jobs and feature a 400-room hotel, a gaming area of 530,000 square feet, and aims to be a significant economic driver for the region, has been halted indefinitely.
The legal challenges stem from claims by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria (FIGR) that the Koi Nation has insufficient ancestral ties with the Shiloh site and that federal agencies failed to perform proper research when approving the application. The court found that the US Department of the Interior (DOI) did not properly consult with FIGR regarding cultural and historical impacts, as required under federal preservation statutes.
Moreover, the court ruled that the DOI's decision to place the land in trust for the Shiloh Casino and Resort project was unlawful, as the Bureau of Indian Affairs director who approved the trust application lacked the legal authority to do so. The court's order mandates that the DOI must review its prior decision, a process that could run for years.
The State of California and Governor Gavin Newsom have also taken legal action against the Koi Nation, asserting that the DOI failed to follow the required "two-part determination" process when approving the application. This process usually involves extensive discussions with local authorities and the governor, and a pledge that any new venue would not harm the local community.
The review will focus on whether the restored lands exception of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) may apply to the Shiloh parcel. Only the Secretary of the Interior, a Senate-confirmed official, can make the determination about the trust application.
The Koi Nation's hopes for a swift resolution are unlikely to materialize due to the lengthy review process. The partial win for the challengers means that the Shiloh Casino and Resort project faces an uncertain future, with the outcome of the review potentially affecting not only the Koi Nation but also the local community and the broader California economy.
For the latest information on the position of the US Interior Secretary regarding this project, one should refer to current news and official announcements. Projects of this scale often require a comprehensive review and approval by various authorities, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) as part of the US Interior Department.
