California: Redding Rancheria tribe renews federal application for Win-River Casino relocation

Redding Rancheria has renewed its federal application for a casino relocation proposal. After a pause, the tribe is back on track on its application to build a 69,000 square-foot casino, a 250-room hotel, and a retail center in South Redding, California.

The proposed relocation of the Win-River Casino and Event Center is currently facing opposition from a number of parties, most notably Senator Dianne Feinstein, who is doubling down on her stance against the move, reports KRCR.

In a letter dated Tuesday, Feinstein urged Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Bryan Newland to use a two-part process to review the proposal, which would include broad public input. Feinstein, who cites opposition to the move by the City of Redding, Shasta County and the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, says a “restored lands” exception is not applicable.

“The tribe isn’t shocked that we received opposition from Dianne Feinstein; Dianne Feinstein opposes all casino relocation projects,” Redding Rancheria Tribal Council Chairman Jack Potter said toKRCR. “She has personal issues against casinos that affected her personally in her life so we know that she opposes them.”

Potter further said the tribe planned to move ahead with the project “slowly.” Redding Rancheria is seeking to move the casino resort to a tribe-owned property next to I-5 and Churn Creek Road. The tribe first applied for the move in 2016.

In addition to the hotel and casino, the resort also features centers, restaurants, retail facilities, and more. In terms of gaming, the venue features 600 slot machines and 12 table games.

The relocation proposal stalled last year, following a Redding Rancheria request of federal government deliberations to be put “on pause,” after their submission received opposition from the City of Redding and Shasta County.

Both parties expressed concern in 2019 about the gambling venue’s potential for competition with existing area businesses, as well as a loss of tax revenue. Certain residents in the area also objected to the proposal, expressing concern on a series of possible issues, including environmental ones, noise, traffic and crime.

Back in October, Rancheria officials said they were now optimistic that their proposal “will be given a higher priority” on the Federal level, following the appointment of two Native Americans in top roles with the U.S. Department of the Interior, reports Redding Record Searchlight. This department has the final approval on the matter.