The Bureau of Indian Affairs has reportedly decided to take 220 acres into trust for the Ione Band of Miwok Indians that would allow the California tribe to build a casino in Amador County and seek a gaming compact from Governor Gavin Newsom.
The tribe reported the impending action last week to the Sacramento Bee. Tribal Chairwoman Sara Dutschke said, “For the Ione Band this isn’t just about the development of a gaming operation, this is really about restoring the land base we can use to support our members in the future. We’ve waited a very long time for this.” Since 2004 to be exact.
The 750-member tribe ran up against intense opposition from county elected officials and residents who said it would add to the existing problems caused by the Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort and Harrah’s Northern California Casino.
It’s a very controversial subject that has caused three area city council members in Ione to be recalled from office because they supported the tribe’s efforts. Amador County sued in federal court claiming the tribe had no historical connection to the land it purchased in 2012. A federal judge ruled in the tribe’s favor in 2015.
Dutschke couldn’t say when the tribe will begin work on its casino, implying that decision might be determined how long the coronavirus keeps the state in lockdown.
