Ancestral Land Conflict in Vallejo Heats Up Again

A Northern California Tribe has been ordered to stop their plans for a casino near Vallejo after the Department of the Interior reversed course and said they didn’t have strong historical connection to the land.

Just before the reversal was issued, the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians opened a preview casino at the 160-acre site of their proposed $700 million  development. However, the decision forced Scotts Valley to immediately close the preview casino that was being housed in temporary modular buildings. It had been open for one week before the reversal.

The Interior had previously approved the project on January 10, 2025; the same day the Coquille Indian Tribe was granted approval to move forward with a Class II casino in Medford, Oregon.

The Vallejo casino had long been opposed by other Tribes in the region, including the Yocha Dehe Wintum Nation and Lytton Rancheria, who argued in federal court that the land was part of their ancestral territory.

Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs William Kirkland stated in the recent ruling, “The Vallejo parcel does not qualify as restored lands within the meaning of  applicable law, and the (Scotts Valley) Band may not conduct gaming on the parcel pursuant to (the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act’s) restored lands exception.”

The land will remain in federal trust for Scotts Valley, but legally the Tribe cannot use it for gaming. Additional litigation is expected.

Digital render o the Scotts Valley Casino Project
Image source: scottsvalleycasinoea.com