After California Governor Gavin Newsom urged the U.S. Department of the Interior not to proceed with the Koi Nation of Northern California’s Shiloh Resort & Casino project and raised concerns about its legality, the tribe, has defended the project as being in “full accordance with federal law” and arguing that the governor’s opposition “reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of federal law.”
The statement emphasized that the project adheres to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act’s “restored lands” exception, which was specifically designed to address historic injustices by enabling landless tribes to achieve economic self-sufficiency. The tribe added that Judge Beryl A. Howell validated this exception in the 2019 case of Koi Nation v. Zinke.
“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,” said the statement. “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.”
The Koi Nation proposed the $600 million project in September 2021. The planned resort and casino will be built on a 68-acre site in Sonoma County and includes a 2,500 Class III gaming machine facility, a 400-room hotel, six restaurants, a meeting center and a spa.
Newson also opposes the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians’ plans for a Scotts Valley Casino and Tribal Housing Project in Solano County. Newsom has asked the DOI not to move forward with either project.
Newsom’s letter, submitted by Matthew Lee, the state’s senior adviser for tribal negotiation, stated that he “is concerned that these specific projects are proceeding in a manner that would sidestep the State, ignore the concerns of tribal governments and other local communities, and stretch the ‘restored lands’ exception beyond its legal limits — while failing to adequately consider whether there might be a better way.”
The Lytton Rancheria tribe this week supported Newson’s opposition.
“We thank Governor Gavin Newsom for voicing his concerns about the Shiloh Resort and Casino Project and the Scotts Valley Casino and Tribal Housing Project,” said Lytton Rancheria Tribal Chairperson Andy Mejia in a statement. “Unfortunately, these two projects are being recklessly advanced in an unprecedented way without important safeguards – which could have disastrous consequences for the local environment and surrounding communities. Both of these projects are opposed by the native peoples actually indigenous to these sites and supported by tribes from outside Solano and Sonoma Counties.”
Earlier this year, it was reported that the project was backed by a large coalition of public officials, public agencies, labor unions, tribal government officials and members of the public who advocate for the economic benefits the project can potentially bring to the community. Documents written by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs outlining the project’s environmental impact are open for public comments until Monday.
