County opposes Indian casino

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003 | 9:33 a.m.

SAN FRANCISCO -- An Indian tribe lost the blessing of Sonoma County officials Tuesday in its bid to build a casino just outside Rohnert Park, about 40 miles north of San Francisco.

Sonoma County's Board of Supervisors voted 4 to 1 against the construction of the casino, which was approved by Rohnert Park city council members last week. The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, made up of about 600 Miwoks and Pomos, plan to build a hotel-casino.

The tribe's partner is Station Casinos Inc. of Las Vegas.

The casino's future now rests with federal and state agencies that will decide whether to enforce a stricter review process that could consider factors such as environmental impacts, safety risks and traffic.

Sonoma County supervisors said they were worried about the casino's future impacts.

"I feel that Indian gambling has a negative effect on the community," said Paul Kelley, a Sonoma County supervisor and board chairman. "It impacts roads, streets, highways, social services, families. We just don't know what this facility's impacts are going to be or how to pay for them."