A $600 million casino resort in Sonoma County is facing opposition from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, who argue it violates their tribal sovereignty and questions the Koi Nation's ancestral ties. The project, approved by the Biden administration, intends to convert land for gaming purposes but has been criticized for purported inadequacies in environmental surveys. The Graton Rancheria contends that the Koi Nation is geographically disconnected from the area and that the approval process was flawed and politically motivated, as indicated by scrutiny from lawmakers across party lines.
The Koi Nation aims to build a 68-acre complex near Windsor, including a 530,000 sq. ft casino floor and a 400-room hotel.
The former administration's decision violates both the law and the Department of the Interior's own established protocol governing off-reservation gambling projects.
Opponents of the project claim the Koi Nation have no ancestral ties to the land and raised concerns around the efficacy of environmental surveys.
A spokesperson claims the decision was shamefully handed down at the 11th hour, disregarding concerns from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
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