Thursday, 15 January 2009 01:17
Buena Vista Rancheria Continues With Investment Plans
Amador County - The Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians has announced economic investment plans and construction updates for its Tribal gaming facility. The announcement comes on the heels of a January 8 decision by a Federal Judge to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Amador County against the U.S. Department of the Interior regarding the Buena Vista Tribe's Compact with the State of California. In a statement released yesterday by Tribe representative Ryan Rauzon, one tribal leader responded to the court’s decision: “We have always maintained the County's lawsuit was without merit and we are gratified by the court’s decision to dismiss the complaint. We hope the County focuses its efforts on working with the Tribe on implementing off-reservation mitigations and investing millions of dollars set to be paid to the County by the Tribe,” said John Tang, CEO of the Buena Vista Rancheria. “Delays on our project have already cost the County potentially millions of public services dollars and hundreds of good-paying jobs,” he added. The Board of Supervisors said they are “exploring their options” but have yet to issue a comment regarding what, if any, action will be taken next. The Buena Vista Tribe and Amador County negotiated an Intergovernmental Services Agreement in January 2008. That agreement failed to get the required majority vote of the Amador County Supervisors, which then led to the Tribe seeking binding arbitration. As part of the final agreement, representatives of the planned Nevada-style gaming facility will have to make millions in investments for local safety and infrastructure. The tribe announced construction and planned economic investment dollars for the region stemming from its gaming facility to be located on 67.5 acres of land near Ione. “The casino will give the region a significant economic boost, and one that couldn’t come at a better time,” said Tang. The Tribe plans to open the facility in fall 2010. Story By Alex Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).