Phil Barber, PRESS DEMOCRAT
A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order to the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria on Friday, indefinitely delaying any decision by the U.S. Department of the Interior on the casino proposed by the Koi Nation just outside Windsor.
The order by Judge Rita F. Lin in the Northern District of California muddies the timeline for federal approval or rejection of taking the land into trust for an Indian casino.
The ruling is significant, considering Interior Secretary Deb Haaland will leave the position after Donald Trump is sworn in as president Jan. 20.
Haaland’s department has generally supported speeding up the land-to-trust process. There’s no assurance her successor will do the same.
The injunction is certain to please neighbors in the unincorporated Shiloh neighborhood surrounding the Koi’s 68-acre parcel, as well as the elected officials who have lined up to support their concerns. And of course, Graton Rancheria, which has opposed the project.
Read more at https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/koi-casino-graton-indian-gaming/