The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria has extended its opposition to the development of the Shiloh Resort & Casino near Windsor, California with a new legal complaint. The tribe first sued the federal government in November. The new suit reflects the change in leadership at the Department of the Interior (DOI), while also adding to the tribe’s arguments against the Koi Nation project.
At the center of the complaints are allegations that the DOI violated federal laws and failed to follow correct procedures when taking into trust the land that Koi Nation intends to use for its new tribal casino.
If successful, the complaints could reverse that land trust decision and prevent the development of gambling facilities on the site. The recent administration change in Washington, DC might behoove the plaintiffs’ chances.
New lawsuit broadens case against Shiloh
Following its November 2024 lawsuit against the DOI and its Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria (FIGR) lodged a second complaint on the subject. The FIGR asks the court to consolidate the two cases in this new filing.
The second filing is partially due to the fact that there have been changes in the BIA and DOI since November. For example, Doug Burgum has replaced Deb Haaland as the US Secretary of the Interior.
However, the second filing does more than just change the names of some defendants. It extends the arguments against the land trust decision as well.
New lawsuit adds depth to the arguments
The consolidated lawsuit would preserve the FIGR’s original allegations. Those include that the DOI violated multiple federal laws when it took the tract near Windsor into trust for the Koi Nation.
Many of those original allegations involve the BIA failing to follow correct procedures to evaluate the Koi Nation’s claims of ancestral ties to the land. The new complaint adds that the person who signed off on the land trust decision did not have authority to do so.
Furthermore, the second filing alleges that the environment impact study regarding developing a casino on the land is flawed and inadequate.
The change in administration in Washington, DC has more bearing on this case than just changing the names of defendants. It could affect how the government proceeds in this court action as well.
Trump DOJ defense of Biden DOI not an automatic
In the second Donald Trump Administration, the Dept. of Justice’s defense of decisions made by Biden Administration officials challenged in court has been anything but automatic. For example, the new administration has passed on representing the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in a legal dispute over the SEC’s disciplinary powers.
If the DOJ passes on defending the BIA and DOI in the FGIR’s complaint, the court could be more likely to render a judgment in the FGIR’s favor. As relief, the FGIR seeks an injunction reversing the BIA’s land trust decision along with a declaration that the BIA’s decision to effectuate the trust never legally took place.
A ruling in the DOI’s favor could end the debate over whether Shiloh will come to fruition near Windsor. Either way, the situation is far from settled.
