After last Thursday’s agreement between Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and two California tribes, for the extension of their compacts, there still remains the possibility of building casinos in Barstow. The Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians from San Diego County, along with the Big Lagoon Rancheria tribe of Humboldt County have been working for years to build two casinos in Barstow, off tribal lands, near the outlet malls.

The contracts were drafted in 2005, and had been set to expire on Thursday, which would have practically ended the current process. Now, it is still up to the California Legislature to decide if the deals get final approval by September. The agreements did not get approval by a key Assembly committee in June 2006, and tribal members spent the rest of the legislative session pushing unsuccessfully for another hearing.

Both tribes have applied to the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs to put the Barstow land in trust, giving it the same status as their own reservation land. So far, only 3 tribes in the country have ever established casinos off their reservations, allowed under strict circumstances set by the 1988 federal law that regulates Indian gaming. Barstow Mayor Lawrence Dale, who welcomed the extension, said: “The casinos would be a major economic boost to Barstow, which badly needs more jobs,” adding that the compacts provide millions of dollars for the city and the state if the casinos get built. (S-07.05.06)

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