Wilton Rancheria project delayed due to office change
A land-into-trust application approved by Obama’s administration is being reviewed along with other decisions after Donald Trump took over the Oval Office.
US.- Change of administration in the Oval Office seems to have stalled the plan from the Wilton Rancheria to build a multi million dollar casino resort in California. President Donald Trump is reviewing decisions made by predecessor Barack Obama and is formulating new policies on tribal gambling operations.
The Sacramento Bee newspaper reported that the project’s land-into-trust application for the site in the Sacramento County was approved during the last day of Obama’s administration and that seems to be an issue. Since Donald Trump took over the presidency, “all Federal Register documents” are being held until they can be reviewed. And that, of course, includes Wilton Rancheria’s application for the Elk Grove site.
Tribal law expert and attorney Howard Dickstein told the media outlet “it’s speculative as to where this will end up” and added: “It’s going to be a significant period of time before the United States Department Of The Interior makes a determination on the property. Until then, I think it is unlikely that this particular project can move forward.”
The Wilton Rancheria bought the 35.9 acre plot in February 2015 via partner Boyd Gaming Corporation for US$36 million in order to build an entertainment facility with casino, spa, an events space and a fitness center. However, under current circumstances, they must wait for new analysis by the Chairman for the United States House Committee On Natural Resources, Rob Bishop, and United States Department Of The Interior leader Ryan Zinke.
The tribe remains optimistic as chairman Raymond Hitchcok told the newspaper that the project “continues to progress” but hasn’t advanced any further information on whether they’ve begun discussing a gaming compact with the state or not.
