Couple of News Items….

Rohnert Park Update

US District Judge Susan Illston tossed out a lawsuit filed by the group Stop the Casino 101 Coalition for lack of standing. The anti-casino group, which was formed to fight the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria plans for a casino up in Rohnert Park, had filed the suit to challenge the Department of Interior’s action of taking into trust 254 acres of land for the tribe.

The judge ruled that the group lacked standing to file the suit because it “failed to establish that they have suffered a procedural injury.”

A spokeswoman for Stop the Casino 101 Coalition stated that they will appeal because they feel the judge ruled on a “technicality”.

The group also is planning to file suit claiming that the environmental impact report on the proposed casino is inadequate.

Greg Sarris, the Graton Rancheria tribal chairman, said that the tribe was pleased with Illston’s ruling and “honors the opportunity for all members of the community to address their concerns regarding Graton Rancheria.”

Source:
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090422/ARTICLES/904229854/1033?Title=Rohnert-Park-anti-casino-group-loses-federal-ruling


Supreme Court Declines to Hear Calif Gaming Compact Cases

The US Supreme Court has decided against hearing two gaming compact cases involving the Winton Band and the Rincon Band.

The two tribes signed compacts back in 1999 which promised them up to 2000 class III slots, but when they went back to the state to amend the compacts to allow for more the state opposed them. The tribes sued the state in federal court but the state claimed that unless all of the tribes who signed compacts in 1999 were involved in the suit then it shouldn’t be heard.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the states argument so the state asked the Supreme Court to review the decision. The Supreme Court last Monday, without comment, denied the states petitions.

There is currently a third petition pending before the Supreme Court involving the San Pasqual Band


Source:
http://64.38.12.138/IndianGaming/2009/014207.asp