Mechoopda’s day in court

The Mechoopda Maidu got yet another victory in their battle to build a casino in Butte County. A U.S. judge ruled Monday (April 13) in favor of upholding decisions made by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and National Indian Gaming Commisssion that land along Highways 99 and 149 is suitable for a casino.

Butte County, which has been battling the Mechoopda’s casino project for years, has not commented on whether it will pursue an appeal; it has 30 days to do so.

“We’ll be working on moving forward with casino project,” Sandra Knight (pictured), vice chairwoman of the Mechoopda Tribal Council, told the CN&R.

The trial, held in Washington, D.C., in February, was just one step in a long process. The Mechoopda hope to build the facility on a portion of a 645-acre parcel at the 99/149 junction, where the state has recently done major renovations of the roads.