The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation has launched a lawsuit against the City of Vallejo, California, and its council after the city signed off on an Encroachment Permit and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians. At the center of the dispute is a planned temporary casino in Vallejo, a project slated to feature 24 single-family homes, a tribal administration building, a parking structure, and a 45-acre biological preserve close to Interstate 80 and Highway 37. Carrying an estimated price tag of $700 million, the venue would run around the clock.
Anthony Roberts, Chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, did not hold back in his assessment of the council's move, according to the Vallejo Times-Herald. "The City of Vallejo's decision to rush into a Memorandum of Understanding for the Scotts Valley project while the federal government is actively reconsidering whether the project is legal in the first place completely disregards the rule of law and proper process. We were left with no choice but to file suit, not only to protect our Patwin ancestral homelands, but also to stand up for the thousands of Vallejo residents that deserve thoughtful decision-making grounded in facts and meaningful environmental review," he said.
Inside the MOU and the Pushback
Back in April, the Vallejo City Council approved the agreement in a 4-2 vote, pledging municipal resources such as fire, police, and water services to support a modest casino operation alongside a Pomo tribal office. Under the terms, the Scotts Valley Band is expected to put up $100,000 in community benefits, fill 15 percent of jobs with local hires, maintain community engagement throughout the build, and assist with clearing the White Slough encampment. Two council members, Tonia Lediju and Alexander Matias, voted against the deal, contending that the city had not secured strong enough terms.
Mia Durham, Secretary of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, underlined the tribe's long-standing local ties: "Our tribe remains deeply committed to the many community partners, residents, and organizations we have worked alongside in Vallejo for decades. These relationships are rooted in trust, partnership, and a shared commitment to the future of this region."
Federal Scrutiny Still in Play
The complaint alleges that the city ran afoul of both the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act, commonly known as the LAFCO Act. Opponents say Vallejo skipped a proper environmental assessment and leaned on exemptions that do not apply. They also point out that the MOU pledges city services to a casino sitting on federal trust land without sign-off from Solano LAFCO.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of the Interior is taking a fresh look at whether the Scotts Valley site even qualifies for gaming. In a letter sent in December, the department flagged possible legal missteps in earlier approvals, noting that input from neighboring tribes and other parties casts doubt on the land's eligibility. The agency cautioned that leaning on the prior determination would be unwise while its review is ongoing, with a final ruling anticipated by the close of July.
Roberts summed up the tribe's position, stressing that litigation was the only remaining option to safeguard ancestral lands and ensure residents' interests are weighed. With the federal review unresolved, he argued, the city's early backing of the preview casino jeopardizes both legal process and local resources.
