Tribal Gaming & News

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SEPTEMBER 19, 2011 - Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Top Story -

Governor Brown Establishes Tribal Advisor to Strengthen Communication, Collaboration with California’s Native American Tribes

SACRAMENTO – In order to strengthen communication and collaboration between California state government and Native American Tribes, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an Executive Order establishing the position of Governor’s Tribal Advisor in the Office of the Governor. This position will serve as a direct link between the Governor’s Office and tribal governments on matters including legislation, policy and regulation. Governor Brown signed the Executive Order today while attending the TASIN All California Tribes Meeting at the Sheraton Hotel in Sacramento, CA.
The text of the Executive Order is below:
EXECUTIVE ORDER B-10-11 WHEREAS California is home to many Native American Tribes with whom the State of California has an important relationship, as set forth and affirmed in state and federal law; and WHEREAS the State of California recognizes and reaffirms the inherent right of these Tribes to exercise sovereign authority over their members and territory; and WHEREAS the State and the Tribes are better able to adopt and implement mutually-beneficial policies when they cooperate and engage in meaningful consultation; and WHEREAS the State is committed to strengthening and sustaining effective government-to-government relationships between the State and the Tribes by identifying areas of mutual concern and working to develop partnerships and consensus; and WHEREAS tribal people, as both citizens of California and their respective sovereign nations, have a shared interest in creating increased opportunities for all California citizens.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, by virtue of the power vested in me by the Constitution and the statutes of the State of California, do hereby issue the following orders to become effective immediately: IT IS ORDERED that the position of Governor’s Tribal Advisor shall exist within the Office of the Governor; IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Governor’s Tribal Advisor shall oversee and implement effective government-to-government consultation between my Administration and Tribes on policies that affect California tribal communities, and shall: • Serve as a direct link between the Tribes and the Governor of the State of California. • Facilitate communication and consultations between the Tribes, the Office of the Governor, state agencies, and agency tribal liaisons. • Review state legislation and regulations affecting Tribes and make recommendations on these proposals. IT IS FUTHER ORDERED that the Office of the Governor shall meet regularly with the elected officials of California Indian Tribes to discuss state policies that may affect tribal communities. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that it is the policy of this Administration that every state agency and department subject to my executive control shall encourage communication and consultation with California Indian Tribes. Agencies and departments shall permit elected officials and other representatives of tribal governments to provide meaningful input into the development of legislation, regulations, rules, and policies on matters that may affect tribal communities. For purposes of this Order, the terms “Tribe,” “California Indian Tribe”, and “tribal” include all Federally Recognized Tribes and other California Native Americans. This Executive Order is not intended to create, and does not create, any rights or benefits, whether substantive or procedural, or enforceable at law or in equity, against the State of California or its agencies, departments, entities, officers, employees, or any other person. I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this Order shall be filed with the Office of the Secretary of State and that it be given widespread publicity and notice. IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 19th day of September 2011. ___________________________________ EDMUND G. BROWN JR. Governor of California ATTEST: ___________________________________ DEBRA BOWEN Secretary of State ### | Latest News Governor Brown to Speak at Statewide Conference on Public Safety Realignment 09-20-2011 EXECUTIVE ORDER B-10-11 09-19-2011 Governor and First Lady Honor Cpl. Michael J. Dutcher 09-19-2011

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SEPTEMBER 8, 2011 - Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians receives Notice to Proceed with Casino Construction

The Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians announced today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IX issued a Notice to Proceed with construction of the Tribe’s casino project, in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) entered under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.  The EPA found that the Tribe has satisfied the conditions and its responsibilities under the MOA.     

The notification followed the September 6, 2011 decision of the U.S. Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) denying petitions filed by Amador County, Friends of Amador County, the Ione Band and Glen Villa challenging the EPA’s issuance last summer of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, allowing the Tribe to operate a water treatment facility for the casino project.  The EAB concluded that the petitioners failed to demonstrate any grounds warranting review of the permit issuance, and that the EPA did not err in issuing the NPDES permit.   

“This decision clearly demonstrates that the Tribe has continued to fulfill our obligations,” said Tribal Chairwoman Rhonda Morningstar Pope. “The EAB’s refusal to review the petitions reaffirms our right to move forward with this project on our tribal land.”

Arnold Samuel, General Counsel for the Buena Vista Rancheria was pleased with the findings and stated, “This is a great victory for the Tribe in its continued effort at achieving its ultimate goal of tribal self-reliance and self-sufficiency.”

Construction activities for the casino project may start as early as November of this year.

July 29, 2010 - Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians releases statement on Amador County Supervisors' costly lawsuit.
Rhonda Morningstar Pope, Chairwoan of the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, today released the following statement abou the Amador County Board of Supervisors decision to continue appealing a costly lawsuit in federal courts: > More

January 15, 2010 - The Buena Vista Casino project is proceeding as planned.   The Tribe is still awaiting the issuance of the federal permits it requires before breaking ground on the casino construction; it anticipates that the permits should be issued within the first couple months of 2010.  Once the permits are issued, the Tribe will seek financing for the casino construction costs.  In the meantime, for the past several months, the Tribe has been working steadily with the County of Amador and other local agencies in the implementation of pre-opening mitigation measures, such as road improvements, groundwater monitoring and fire station improvements.

January 14, 2009 - Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians announces economic investment plans and construction updates for its Tribal gaming facility
Amador County slated to receive millions of dollars annually for public services
SACRAMENTO — The Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians today announced construction and planned economic investment dollars for the region stemming from its Tribal gaming facility to be built on Tribal land near Ione, Calif. The Tribe also responded to the January 8 decision of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia 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, signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“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. Delays on our project have already cost the County potentially millions of public services dollars and hundreds of good-paying jobs.” said John Tang, CEO of the Buena Vista Rancheria. (more - full pdf printable version)

June 18, 2008 - Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians proceed with final Intergovernmental Services Agreement for off-reservation mitigation
of Tribal gaming facility -Amador County to receive more than $8 million annually for public safety services - Under rules established by a Tribal-State Gaming Compact signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians today announced that its final Intergovernmental Services Agreement (ISA) with Amador County will provide for off-reservation mitigation measures related to the Tribal gaming facility to be built on its Rancheria land. (more - full pdf printable version)

January 29, 2008 – Tribal Council of the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians Announced it has Negotiated a Proposed Intergovernmental Services Agreement with Amador County - Staff from the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians today announced a proposed agreement with Amador County officials regarding a package of mitigations for off- reservation impacts of a proposed gaming facility on Tribal lands near Ione, Calif. The recommended Intergovernmental Services Agreement (ISA) marks the close of discussions between Tribal and County leaders as required by the Tribal Compact with the State of California prior to the Tribe opening a Gaming and Entertainment Facility on the Buena Vista
Rancheria. (more - full pdf printable version)

September 21, 2007 –The Buena Vista Childcare Center is a licensed childcare center providing non-medical care to children up to 5 years, 9 months of age.  The Center will provide personal services, supervision, and assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living for children.  The Center will be unique in that it will specialize in activities that support child brain development, social skill development, and long term academic success.  The centers hours are M-F, 7:30am – 5:30pm.  These services will be provided to preschoolers in a group setting.  Age appropriate lessons or experience with indigenous languages, music, dance, drama, handwork, painting, modeling, puppetry, field trips and gardening are an integrated part of the basic services offered.

February 21, 2007 – The Buena Vista Band of Me-Wuk Indians continues to seek comments from the public regarding its proposed casino project south of Ione.

January 26, 2007 – The Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians today released its Draft Tribal Environmental Impact Report (TEIR) for a proposed Gaming and Entertainment Facility on Tribal land near Ione. The new Draft TEIR process stemmed from a request by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's office to amend a similar report released in 2005. Instead, the Tribe went a step further—started the process over from the beginning, prepared a new Draft TEIR, and proposed new alternatives, including a Phased Project. MORE>

February 24, 2006 – The Amador Ledger-Dispatch ran this full-page advertisement to the residents of Amador County. MORE>

February 13, 2006 – The Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians announced plans to begin a new environmental report for its proposed Gaming and Entertainment Facility on Tribal land near Ione. MORE>

February 10, 2006 – The Buena Vista Rancheria’s official “Notice of Preparation” for a new Tribal Environmental Impact Report (TEIR) in 2006. MORE>

November 8, 2005 – Tribal Chairwoman Rhonda L. Morningstar Pope submitted two ballot arguments for Amador County voters to consider in voting for Measure I, an advisory vote related to the spread of off-reservation gaming. MORE 1> : MORE 2>

July 8, 2005 – The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) confirmed that the Buena Vista Rancheria is “Indian Land” as defined by the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. MORE>

June 30, 2005 – The NIGC letter determined that the Tribe may legally conduct gaming on the land. MORE>

April 27, 2005 – Tribal Chairwoman Rhonda L. Morningstar Pope met with Amador County business owners about economic benefits of proposed casino project. MORE>

March 29, 2005 – In a letter to Amador County Supervisor Robert Forster, Tribal Chairwoman Rhonda L. Morningstar Pope comments on the Supervisor’s testimony before a Congressional committee. MORE>

December 30, 2004 – Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians Resolves Governance Dispute. Rhonda L. Morningstar Pope named as new Tribal Chairwoman. MORE