California
Tribes Finalize Agreements
The Los Coyotes Band
of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians and the Big Lagoon
Rancheria joined Governor Schwarzenegger today
in announcing they have successfully negotiated
gaming compacts.
The agreements allow the tribes to
proceed with jointly developing a $160 million
casino resort complex in Barstow. Within the
proposed 47-acre complex, each tribe will own
and operate an individual casino facility. The
compacts also specify how associated revenues
and infrastructure costs will be fairly distributed
among the tribes, the State, and local government.
"This agreement represents a giant step
forward for the Barstow project that will help
make our people self-sufficient," said
Virgil Moorehead, Big Lagoon Rancheria Tribal
Chairman. "We deeply appreciate the hard
work and support of Governor Schwarzenegger
and his lead negotiator, Dan Kolkey. Their commitment
to balancing the unique needs of our tribes
and the people of California is commendable.
We also thank the City of Barstow for their
continuing support."
Some specific highlights of the compacts include:
-- The State will receive from 16% to 25% of
the net win on slot machines and card games
based on a sliding scale.
-- The tribes will be limited to operating
a maximum of 2,250 gaming devices; each tribe
expects to open with approximately 1,250 gaming
devices.
-- The tribes will adhere to federal and state
workplace standards for casino workers.
-- The compacts include provisions to address
the issue of problem gambling.
-- The compacts expire on December 31, 2025.
The compacts are one of the first in the state
following the Governor's May 2005 proclamation
on tribal gaming, which allow for an off-reservation
casino in a non-urban area when a greater state
purpose is being served. The signing follows
a ten-year effort by the Big Lagoon tribe to
negotiate a compact. As part of the agreement,
tribe members agree not to commercially develop
their traditional reservation property located
in coastal Humboldt County.
"We are extremely pleased to have emerged
from these negotiations with an agreement that
is solid, fair, and workable," said Katherine
Siva Saubel, Tribal Spokeswoman for the Los
Coyotes Band. "We can now begin to move
forward with our enterprise, which will help
provide tribal members with greater financial
stability and self-reliance. These compacts
are certainly a win-win-win for the tribes,
the State and the community of Barstow."
The Los Coyotes have also agreed to forgo development
of a casino gaming facility on their reservation
property in San Diego County. As a result, both
tribes will have the opportunity to benefit
from the economic development opportunity allowed
to other tribes in the state, but they will
do so in a way that helps to consolidate the
number of locations in which Indian gaming will
be permitted in the state.
"We would also like to thank Mayor Lawrence
Dale, the Barstow City Council, past and present,
and the thousands of Barstow residents who signed
cards to the Governor supporting the project,"
said Los Coyotes Council Member, Kevin Siva.
"Their support was our strength in these
negotiations."
Now that the compacts have been signed by the
Governor, the tribes will go to the State legislature
for approval. Each tribe is also applying to
the Department of Interior to request that its
portion of the land be taken into trust. Construction
can begin once the applications have been approved.
The proposed Barstow Casinos and Resort will
be a unique project integrating two separate
casinos within one casino resort complex. Each
casino will contain similar square footage and
be joined together by a common area. The complex,
which will provide visitors with double the
gaming and resort options, features hotels,
pools, spa/exercise facilities, restaurants,
retail, entertainment and administrative offices.
Uniquely positioned midway between Los Angeles
and Las Vegas, it is expected to attract more
than 2.5 million visitors per year. The complex
will provide 3,700 jobs, including 1,500 casino
positions and 1,000 construction jobs.
"The City of Barstow is the ideal location
for this project. City leaders and residents
have expressed a strong desire to host a responsible
tribal gaming project because it will create
good-paying jobs and drive economic development,"
added Moorehead, Big Lagoon's tribal leader.
"We're confident our project will meet
and exceed the expectations of the Barstow community."
The Big Lagoon Rancheria was established in
1918. The tribe's members are descended from
the Tolowa and Yurok Tribes. The reservation
of the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno
Indians reservation was formally established
in 1889. Both tribes are federally-recognized.
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