RCRC has joined Shasta County and the City of Redding in opposition to the Redding Rancheria’s fee-to-trust application and casino project located in Shasta County. The Redding Rancheria is seeking approval on a fee-to-trust transfer and gaming project that would move its Win-River Resort and Casino to a 232-acre parcel known as Strawberry Fields.
The proposal includes a casino, an approximately 250-room hotel, an event/convention center, and associated parking and infrastructure. Strawberry Fields is approximately two miles from the current Win-River land. Fee-to-trust applications involve the acquisition in trust of whole or undivided interests in land held in fee.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs has published a draft environmental impact statement for the project, which Shasta County has submitted comments requesting for further evaluation. Shasta County has reached the conclusion that the project will have a detrimental impact on the area surrounding southern portions of the City of Redding, including the unincorporated areas where the Strawberry Fields site is located. After conducting internal deliberations and receiving community input, Shasta County has concluded that the proposed Strawberry Fields site cannot be adequately mitigated.
RCRC has long-believed that any and all fee-to-trust applications must be supported by comprehensive mitigation agreements with affected local governments. RCRC also believes the Secretary of the Interior should ensure – via a federal law or the U.S. Department of the Interior policy – that all significant off-reservation impacts associated with a proposed development be mitigated to the satisfaction of the affected local governments. As such, RCRC recently conveyed its opposition in light of the position of Shasta county.
RCRC’s letter can be accessed here.