Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Feds officially kill off Oakland casino plan

Four years after meeting with harsh rebuke from local officials, an Indian tribe's plan for a big casino near Oakland International Airport officially died Monday.

The federal Bureau of Indian Affairs announced a decision to cancel work on an environmental review of the Lower Lake Rancheria Koi Nation proposal for a casino, hotel and spa complex on 35 acres of parking lot near Pardee Drive.

The tribe's 2004 plan found isolated support from Oakland Councilman Larry Reid, who was angling for some $20 million a year in payments to the city. But the City Council rejected the idea, which Alameda, Berkeley and San Leandro also opposed. In 2005, the tribe let its option lapse on the land. In a notice published Monday in the Federal Register, the agency said the 50-member tribe had "ceased pursuing activity" on the environmental review.

The decision leaves two tribes with pending applications for East Bay casino land. A federal decision is expected soon on a proposal by the 219-member Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians for a Las Vegas-style casino on 30 acres in unincorporated North Richmond. Also, the Guidiville Band of Pomo Indians has proposed a casino and resort complex at Point Molate, near the foot of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge in Richmond.



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