Amador County – The Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians released a statement Thursday regarding the Amador County Board of Supervisors decision to continue appealing a lawsuit in federal courts aimed at stopping the tribe’s efforts to construct a $150 million casino on land south of Ione. The County’s lawsuit argues that the land is ineligible for gaming under federal law and challenges approval by the Secretary of the Interior of an amendment to the gaming compact between the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians and the State of California. Rhonda Morningstar Pope, Chairwoman of the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, said “it’s discouraging that County leaders are trying to keep the lawsuit alive, and it’s truly shocking that they’re using taxpayers’ money to pursue baseless claims to appease the political agenda of a few dissenters in Amador County.” She singled out “Friends of Amador County,” an anti-casino activist group, as one example. “We hope the people of Amador County recognize these disgruntled individuals for what they are: obstructionists,” said Pope. She said the Buena Vista Tribe has always maintained that the Supervisors’ lawsuit is without merit. “The Supervisors’ efforts thus far to delay our project have already cost the County potentially millions of public services dollars and hundreds of good paying jobs,” she said. “We hope the County will now focus its efforts on working with the Tribe to implement off-reservation mitigation measures and invest millions of dollars set to be paid to the County by the Tribe.” In a release issued by the board last week, County Counsel Martha Shaver explained the County’s decision to appeal. “The court’s ruling dismissing the case was on procedural grounds,” she said. “The court stated that the Secretary’s ‘approval by inaction’ of the compact amendment was not reviewable by a court. We believe this decision is wrong, and welcome the chance to submit our case to the Court of Appeals.” In addition to appealing the federal ruling on the gaming compact, both Amador County and “Friends of Amador County” are appealing a recent decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authorizing the tribe to discharge treated wastewater into an unnamed tributary of Jackson Creek. “It’s time for County leaders to start acting in good-faith with respect to the contractual relationship created by their Intergovernmental Services Agreement with the Tribe,” said Pope. “It’s time for them to stop the divisive politics and start reciprocating our efforts to be good neighbors, working together for the betterment of the County as a whole.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.-
font size
decrease font size
increase font size
Amador County – The Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians released a statement Thursday regarding the Amador County Board of Supervisors decision to continue appealing a lawsuit in federal courts aimed at stopping the tribe’s efforts to construct a $150 million casino on land south of Ione. The County’s lawsuit argues that the land is ineligible for gaming under federal law and challenges approval by the Secretary of the Interior of an amendment to the gaming compact between the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians and the State of California. Rhonda Morningstar Pope, Chairwoman of the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, said “it’s discouraging that County leaders are trying to keep the lawsuit alive, and it’s truly shocking that they’re using taxpayers’ money to pursue baseless claims to appease the political agenda of a few dissenters in Amador County.” She singled out “Friends of Amador County,” an anti-casino activist group, as one example. “We hope the people of Amador County recognize these disgruntled individuals for what they are: obstructionists,” said Pope. She said the Buena Vista Tribe has always maintained that the Supervisors’ lawsuit is without merit. “The Supervisors’ efforts thus far to delay our project have already cost the County potentially millions of public services dollars and hundreds of good paying jobs,” she said. “We hope the County will now focus its efforts on working with the Tribe to implement off-reservation mitigation measures and invest millions of dollars set to be paid to the County by the Tribe.” In a release issued by the board last week, County Counsel Martha Shaver explained the County’s decision to appeal. “The court’s ruling dismissing the case was on procedural grounds,” she said. “The court stated that the Secretary’s ‘approval by inaction’ of the compact amendment was not reviewable by a court. We believe this decision is wrong, and welcome the chance to submit our case to the Court of Appeals.” In addition to appealing the federal ruling on the gaming compact, both Amador County and “Friends of Amador County” are appealing a recent decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authorizing the tribe to discharge treated wastewater into an unnamed tributary of Jackson Creek. “It’s time for County leaders to start acting in good-faith with respect to the contractual relationship created by their Intergovernmental Services Agreement with the Tribe,” said Pope. “It’s time for them to stop the divisive politics and start reciprocating our efforts to be good neighbors, working together for the betterment of the County as a whole.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
Latest from Tom
- Richard Forster previews this week's Amador County Board of Supervisors meeting with host, Tom Slivick. (2 of 2)
- Richard Forster on TSPN TV News December 7, 2015 (1 of 2)
- Ebbetts Pass (State Route 4) Closed for Winter
- State HWY 89 Closed for the Winter
- Richard Forster on TSPN TV News November 23, 2015 (2 of 2)
