U.S. court confirms trust status for Scotts Valley tribe’s casino land in Vallejo

A U.S. federal court has upheld the trust status of land earmarked for a $700 million casino in Vallejo, California, in a ruling that clears the way for the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians to proceed with their legal challenge against a recent federal decision to reassess the tribe’s gaming eligibility.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the tribe’s 160-acre property remains in federal trust, even as the Department of the Interior (DOI) reconsiders a prior determination that had cleared the way for the project. The court declined to grant preliminary relief but said it would expedite a final decision on the merits.

“We are very confident in the strength of our legal position,” said Scotts Valley Chairman Shawn Davis. “The Court’s order allows the case to move forward quickly, and we are fully prepared to defend the integrity of the Department’s original decision, which recognized our historical connection to this land and our eligibility to pursue economic development through gaming.”

The tribe has proposed a 400,000-square-foot casino complex near the junction of Interstate 80 and Highway 37 in Solano County, featuring 24 single-family homes, a tribal administration building, a parking garage, and a 45-acre biological preserve. The facility would operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is expected to create thousands of jobs and generate hundreds of millions in wages.

The court’s ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by the tribe after the DOI in March temporarily suspended its earlier approval of the project, citing concerns over Scotts Valley’s historical connection to the Bay Area.

Efforts by three other tribes — the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, and United Auburn Indian Community — to intervene in the case were rejected by Judge Trevor N. McFadden in April, with the court determining they lacked standing. The judge emphasized that the dispute was between the Scotts Valley Tribe and the federal government.

The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation opposes the project, claiming the land in question lies within their ancestral Patwin territory. Chairman Anthony Roberts criticized the court's decision. “We are confident that a fair look at the evidence will show Scotts Valley’s claims cannot be sustained,” Roberts added. “These are not their lands and they never were.”

The decision also follows a contentious meeting of the Vallejo City Council, where members voted to send a comment letter to the DOI about the casino. The vote took place just before 2 a.m. following a seven-hour session.

“I am not on board with making a consequential decision after midnight,” said Mayor Andrea Sorce. “They [the public] are going to wake up tomorrow and read that the council made a decision on the casino, and it is going to torch trust.”

The case is now set to proceed on an expedited briefing schedule, as the Scotts Valley Tribe continues to push forward with its plans.

“Our land remains in trust, our commitment remains strong, and our resolve remains unshaken,” Davis said.