Update on the Joshua Tree casino issue

Governor Brown unfortunately made a bad decision.  Per the LA Times,  “Gov. Jerry Brown approved a plan for two tribes to open casinos away from their ancestral lands, a move that he said would create jobs and help local communities.  But critics say the plan could lead to a massive expansion of gambling in California.”  Here is a link to the rest of the LA Times article on his recent decision: LA Times blog

This does not bode well for the Joshua Tree Casino.  However, the conditions cited by Gov. Brown in his decision letters describe situations quite different from Joshua Tree. Links to his full letters of approval are below, but here are some excerpts (underline added for emphasis):

·        “A large tribal population will directly benefit from the gaming facility.”  (The 29 Palms Band is very small.)

·        “The gaming facility is supported by both Madera County and the City of Madera.”  (Joshua Tree residents have come out in great numbers against the Casino.)

·        Each tribe “has a significant historical connection with the land.” (This does not seem to be the case in Joshua Tree.) 

·        “The gaming facility has increasing public support…”  (Not in Joshua Tree!)

·        “The facility will be located within a sports-and-entertainment zone created by Yuba County.”  (There’s no situation like that in Joshua Tree.)

Here are the actual letters sent by the Governor:

http://www.gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=17699 

http://www.gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=17700 

Action to stop proposed casino in Joshua Tree

We are sharing information here posted on the “NO Joshua Tree Casino”  Facebook page, for anyone who is interested in stopping the casino proposed for Joshua Tree. A local fundraising effort is underway to support a legal battle through Stand Up for California, a statewide organization with a focus on gambling issues affecting California. The fundraising deadline is this Tuesday, February 14. Donations are being collected by the Joshua Tree Health Food Store, located at the corner of Highway 62 and Sunset Road.

It is difficult to simplify the complex legal issue (more detail below), but it is concerned with the regulatory powers of the Secretary of the Interior to grant “fee to trust” status to land acquired by Indian tribes, which allows tribes to place casinos on that land without appropriate consideration for local negative effects.  Many local residents share this kind of concern about the proposed Joshua Tree Casino.

For a great deal more information on this and other gambling issues in California, check the Stand Up for California website.
 

Update on proposed Joshua Tree casino

On November 19, Cheryl Schmit of the group “Stand Up for California” gave a very knowledgeable and comprehensive presentation about the issues of Indian gaming facing us in Joshua Tree and the Morongo Basin.  We learned that several other California communities are facing this same off-reservation casino issue as the aftermath of recent approvals of such casinos in Yuba and Madera Counties.

“Off-reservation casinos are in direct violation of the promises made to voters that Indian gaming would remain on Indian lands,” said Stand Up for California’s Executive Director, Cheryl Schmit. “If off-reservation gaming is allowed, a dangerous precedent will be set, opening the floodgates for tribes across California to shop around for the most profitable locations to build casinos, with complete disregard for how our local communities are impacted.”

You can learn more in this article on Stand Up for California’s website: Stand Up for California

Perhaps the other most important point in her article is this:

The fate of the casinos already approved by the Department of Interior rests in the hands of Governor Jerry Brown, as off-reservation sites must pass through what is called a “two-part determination.” Although the federal government has mistakenly opened the doors for these casinos, the Governor has the chance to reject the proposals, keeping in line with what California voters agreed to when they passed Propositions 1A and 5 that allows tribal gaming to take place on reservation land only.

Anyone opposed to the off-reservation gaming facilities is encouraged to contact the Governor, asking him to not concur with the proposals.

If you are opposed to having a casino in Joshua Tree and have not yet contacted the Governor, please do so now.  We understand that a strong anti-casino message from the community may not have the desired effect in the federal process, but repeated and significant response directed at the state level may affect the outcome.  Email Governor Brown at this link.. You can write  or call the governor's office at:

Governor Jerry Brown
State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento CA  95814
(916) 445-2841
 

Endangered Tortoise found on proposed Casino site

Few are surprised that the endangered Desert Tortoise has been found to be inhabiting the site of the proposed NuWu Casino and RV Resort at Adobe and Baseline, bordering Joshua Tree National Park. The discovery will require extension of the environmental assessment (pdf) for the project and push back the planned opening date 30 to 60 days, according to Rod Wilson, spokesman for the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians.

He said Tuesday, July 15 that sometime next week the tribe is expected to have a finalized version of a wildlife habitat conservation plan, not only for desert tortoises but for any other endangered animals and plants found at the site.

Protocols for tortoises, he said, will include the placement of fencing to protect the animals and establishment of a location on the 160-acre site for tortoises that have to be relocated because of construction.

The protocol, he said, is based on one created by Copper Mountain College in Joshua Tree for its construction plans.

Read the rest in the Desert Trail.


FOR MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: See the Desert Tortoise page on the MBCA Website. Previous blog posts: Casino.

"Planned Development Districts" in 29 on agenda

At the regular Twentynine Palms City Council meeting on Tuesday the agenda includes a:

"Discussion on Amending the Twentynine Palms Municipal Code to establish Chapter 19.25 of the Development Code, Planned Development Districts. RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the Planned Development District concept, take public comment and provide direction to staff.

Also on the agenda is a presentation by the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians on their Gaming Project.

Tuesday, June 24, 6 p.m., at 6136 Adobe Road in Twentynine Palms.

Tortoises on Casino property

Tribal officials responded to concerns about tortoise populations on the land slated for construction of a casino and RV park at the intersection of Baseline and Adobe Roads in Twentynine Palms, bordering the National Park.

Following a study which found no tortoises on the site and comments by neighbors of the site that tortoises can be found on the property, [tribal spokesman Rod] Wilson said tribal officials committed to conducting another study.

The article in the Desert Trail further details recent community concerns and the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indian's plans concerning the Environmental Assessment (pdf). Grand opening is still scheduled for March 2009.