Sonoma casino quietly opens

Don Thompson

Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2002 | 9:44 a.m.

SACRAMENTO -- A temporary Indian casino quietly opened over the weekend in a tent overlooking the Alexander Valley vineyards and the Russian River in Sonoma County, despite objections from state and local officials.

The River Rock Casino began with just 60 slot machines, but the Dry Creek Band of Pomo Indians hopes the hundreds of visitors it drew its first day is a harbinger of millions more to come.

Casino developers estimate four million people live within a two-hour drive, mostly in the San Francisco area.

The tribe opened its casino despite objections from the governor's office and the state attorney general, who had asked the tribe to stop construction in July over allegations it was violating various building, safety and environmental codes and requirements.

The officials invoked, for the first time, a provision requiring the tribe to "meet and confer" over the problems or risk losing its gambling compact with the state. Attorney General Bill Lockyer also questioned whether the tribe has complied with all the legal steps needed under federal law before gambling can begin.

Those negotiations are continuing, with the tribe contending it has committed no compact violations, attorney general spokesman Nathan Barankin said Monday.

"Obviously we're keeping an eye on things, but the state has relatively few options to stop construction while we continue the 'meet and confer' process," Barankin said. "There's nothing in the compact that precludes them from doing what they're doing while the dispute resolution process is unfolding."

The tribe opened its casino with power from diesel generators and a temporary septic system in lieu of a planned wastewater treatment system.

"If we stopped for all the hurdles that are put up there would be nothing for the tribe," tribal Chairwoman Liz Elgin DeRouen told the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

"This is a strong indication to the state that this tribe does what it wants, that it doesn't feel compelled to comply with the rules," Sonoma County Supervisor Paul Kelley told the paper.

Residents who have opposed the casino didn't protest its opening, but said they already are seeing the increased traffic they fear local country roads can't safely handle.

The casino hosted an invitation-only event under twin tent-like fabric Sprung structures Saturday, and opened to the public around-the-clock on Sunday. About 600 people were expected its first full day, said general manager Doug Searle.

Improvements to the access road, parking lots, and facilities will continue, he said, with completion of the temporary facility expected in February. The tribe still is involved in lawsuits filed by neighbors over the access road, and with the casino's first developer.

Searle told the Press Democrat the slow start was deliberate.

"This is truly a very cautious effort by this tribe to have this gradually open and let people have a chance to grow into what's happening here," Searle said. "This tribe wants to be a good neighbor."