Proposed Koi casino raises concerns from leader of Graton Rancheria

Graton tribal chairman Greg Sarris says BIA approval of competing facility would upend tribal sovereignty precedent.

photo credit: Marc Albert/KRCB
[Left] Chairman Greg Sarris of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria at a 2023 groundbreaking with [right] Rohnert Park
city council member Jackie Elward.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs recently hosted an online public hearing related to the Koi Nation's plans to build a resort and casino near Windsor.

In July, the Koi tribe submitted a draft environmental document related to the project...it explores potential environmental impacts and lays out ways those impacts can be avoided or minimized, when possible.

The Koi's plans call for a 400 room hotel and resort with 2,500 gambling machines off Shiloh Road just south of Windsor.

KRCB News has been speaking with representatives of other local tribes, getting their perspective on the plan. Now, we hear from Greg Sarris, chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. The tribe operates the Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park.

Though the tribe has financial concerns over potential competition, Sarris told KRCB News he is most troubled by potential changes to rules governing indigenous rancherias.

Sarris said there's a big distinction between the reservation system, across much of the rest of the US, and California's tribal rancherias---one he fears even federal authorities aren't quite aware of.

Sarris says in 1910, the federal government passed the California Rancheria Act.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs will continue taking written comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Koi Nation's proposed project until August 26th .

Written comments may be mailed to  Amy Dutschke, Regional Director
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pacific Regional Office
2800 Cottage Way, Room W–2820, Sacramento, CA 95825

Please include your name, return address, and the caption: “EIS Comments, Koi Nation Shiloh Resort and Casino,” on the first page of your written comments.

Comments may be emailed to
Chad Broussard
Environmental Protection Specialist
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pacific Region
chad.broussard@bia.gov

Please use “EIS Comments, Koi Nation Shiloh Resort and Casino” as the subject of your email.

For more information about the proposal, visit https://www.shilohresortenvironmental.com/