The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians has encountered a major obstacle in their plans to develop a casino in Vallejo. The U.S. Department of the Interior has reversed its earlier approval, citing insufficient historical connection to the land under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).
This decision comes just a week after the tribe opened a temporary preview casino, which has now been suspended. The ruling has cast doubt on the future of the $700 million project, which includes an eight-story casino, residential units, and a biological preserve.
The Department of the Interior’s Decision
Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs William H. Kirkland III concluded that the tribe did not demonstrate a significant historical connection to the Vallejo property. This connection is crucial for qualifying under the restored lands exception of the IGRA.
The ruling stated, “I have determined the Band has not demonstrated the requisite significant historical connection. Consequently, the Vallejo parcel does not qualify as restored lands within the meaning of applicable law.”
Tribal Response and Legal Action
Chairman Shawn Davis of the Scotts Valley Band expressed disappointment but vowed to challenge the decision in federal court. “The administrative record overwhelmingly supports the Tribe’s gaming eligibility,” Davis stated, indicating the tribe’s intent to pursue legal action.
The tribe’s legal team is now preparing to contest the ruling, arguing that the evidence supports their claim to the land. The outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications for the future of the project.
Opposition from Neighboring Tribes
The proposed casino has faced opposition from several neighboring tribes, including the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, Lytton Rancheria, United Auburn Indian Community, and the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation. These tribes argue that the Vallejo site lies within Patwin ancestral territory and challenge the Scotts Valley Band’s historical claims.
A key point of contention involves Chief Shuk Augustine, a Pomo leader cited by the Scotts Valley Band to support their historical connection to the area. The opposing tribes dispute this claim, asserting that Augustine never lived in Vallejo.
Lytton Rancheria Chairperson Andy Mejia welcomed the ruling, stating, “The decision is an encouraging development and reflects the importance of ensuring that federal decisions affecting the Tribal Nations are made in a manner consistent with the law.” Mejia emphasized that the matter is about preserving the integrity of the federal process rather than opposing another tribe.
The Project’s Future
The Vallejo proposal represents a substantial development project valued at approximately $700 million. The plans include an eight-story casino operating around the clock, along with restaurants, bars, a ballroom, tribal housing, an administration building, parking facilities, and a 45-acre biological preserve.
The broader project also includes 24 single-family homes intended for tribal members and additional government facilities. Earlier approvals had allowed the land to be taken into trust for gaming, housing, and governmental purposes.
In January 2026, the Interior Department approved the project under the restored lands provision, enabling the tribe to move ahead with plans for a larger Class III casino operation. However, the matter returned to scrutiny after opposing tribes challenged the approval.
The federal government later acknowledged that its earlier approval may have involved a legal error and indicated that evidence submitted by neighboring tribes raised questions about whether the site qualified under IGRA requirements.
In October, Judge Trevor McFadden of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia rejected efforts by Scotts Valley to block the reconsideration process. The court concluded that the Interior Department had authority to revisit its earlier decision and required the agency to issue a final determination before the end of July.
McFadden also cautioned that Scotts Valley “would be ill-served” by relying on the prior gaming eligibility determination while the review remained underway.
The future of the Vallejo casino project now hinges on the outcome of the legal challenges and the Interior Department’s final determination. The Scotts Valley Band remains optimistic about their case and is prepared to fight for their right to develop the project.
