Two court decisions, concerning the California-based Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, were announced earlier this week. Both of these were related to the proposed new tribal casino, which is expected to be located in Amador County. The idea for its establishment has been floating around for quite some time.
Yesterday, December 2, an appellate court decided to reject the tribe’s motion for intervention in the lawsuit, concerning the permission for a gambling venue to be established in the above-mentioned area. Leaders of the Buena Vista Rancheria wanted to take part in the lawsuit as a third party, so as to be able to point out their sovereign immunity, hence their right to operate a casino.
Yesterday, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit stated in a ten-page document that the judge’s resolution might be based on an objection that was filed by Amador almost a decade ago. On the other hand, the tribe’s wish to intervene and the appeal that it filed delayed the final decision for three years. And if Buena Vista Rancheria’s bid for intervention was granted, then the process would most certainly be further postponed.
It is important to note that the D.C.-based appeal court is often referred to as the second most influential judiciary with the Supreme Court of the United States being the only more powerful body.
But apart from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit’s resolution, yet another decision, concerning the proposed casino, was issued on Monday, December 1. It turns out that the Supreme Court refused to hear the so-called group Friends of Amador County’s case.
The anti-casino group claimed that the Buena Vista Rancheria was not a legitimate tribe and therefore, it should not be allowed to build a casino in the region.
Back on January 29, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the Friends of Amador County’s claim. As it seems, the Supreme Court has just announced that it supported this decision.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stated that it “cannot simply turn a blind eye to the tribe’s status as a federally recognized tribe”. That is, the Buena Vista Rancheria has the same rights and privileges as all other Indian tribes. In other words, there is no legal reason why it should not be allowed to build and operate a casino venue in Amador County.
The new Buenavue Casino is planned to spread over 67.5 acres. It will be divided into a main floor and a mezzanine floor. It will offer a total of 1,650 slot machines, 60 tables, and four luxurious restaurants. In addition to this, the venue will provide its visitors with a huge parking lot that will feature up to 1,000 parking spaces.
