Proposed new Bay Area casino hit with another lawsuit
The Lytton Rancheria tribe has filed a lawsuit against the City of Vallejo, alleging it violated state environmental laws in an agreement with the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians.Summary
The Lytton Rancheria tribe has filed a lawsuit against the City of Vallejo, alleging that the city violated state environmental laws in an agreement with the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians. The lawsuit claims the city failed to meaningfully consult with tribes whose cultural resources would be impacted and extended municipal services outside its jurisdictional boundary without county approval. The complaint asserts that the agreement violates the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because the city did not conduct a meaningful review of the significant environmental impacts that may result from the provision of municipal services to support a gaming operation. The Lytton Rancheria argues that CEQA requires the city to review not just the temporary casino but the full-scale casino, which is already tied up in federal litigation and may never become a reality. The tribe anticipates a sharp negative 21 percent reduction in annual gaming revenue if a rival casino opens in Vallejo. In response, the Scotts Valley tribe's counsel argues that the lawsuit is about economic competition and disregards well-established law. The City Council voted 4-2 in favor of the agreement, with two members opposing it due to concerns about the tribe's initial request for office buildings versus the eventual request for a "very small casino operation." Mayor Andrea Sorce, who opposed the agreement, stated that the city should let the federal process play out and remain neutral.
(Source：The Mercury News)