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JUNE NEWS Napa Interests Oppose Potential Casino S anta Rosa, Calif.—In response to the possibility of a Native Ameri- can tribe gaining recognition and land in Napa County, where it the prospect of such a project within the county's agricultural preserve. They are motivated by a lawsuit filed by Native American tribal members sue for recognition could build a casino or other enterprise, a coalition of organizations in the county have joined U.S. Sen. Diane Feinstein and U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson in opposing the Mishewal Wappo Tribe of Alexander Valley, which is seeking recognition as a tribe in federal courts. The organizations and associations opposing the move repre- sent Napa Valley's wine community, tourism business, the overall business community and environmental organizations: The Calistoga Chamber of Commerce, Friends of the Napa River, Napa Chamber of Commerce, Napa County Farm Bureau, Napa Valley Grape- growers, Napa Valley Vintners, St. Helena Chamber of Commerce, Sierra Club Napa Group, Napa Valley Destination Council and Winegrowers of Napa County. winesandvines.com Learn more: Search keyword "Casino." A bingo hall owned by the Rumsey Band of the Wintun Indians (now known as the yo- cha Dehe Wintun Nation) has grown into the Cache Creek Casino Resort in Brooks, Calif. Your Wine Here The Mishewal Wappo Tribe has filed the lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior for tribal recognition as well as the ability to take Napa County land into trust. Scott Gabaldon, the chairman of the Mishewal Wappo group, has stated that his goal is to get recognition as a tribe, and he has no plans beyond that. He added that recognition would allow his group to acquire land, and while he acknowledges that a casino is a possible use, there are many others including vineyards. In 1968, Napa Valley established the Napa Valley Agricultural Preserve. Any development in the preserve not related to agriculture can only be approved by a ma- jority of Napa County voters. Napa County supports tribal recognition Mendocino County grapes produce award winning wines. Please visit our Grape Marketplace at www.mendowine.com 18 Wines & Vines JUne 2012 only through Congress, not the courts, and it opposes Las Vegas casino-style gaming in Napa Valley. The Napa Valley Grapegrow- ers organization said that it is opposed to the transfer of any lands into trust for the benefit of the Mishewal Wappo tribe or any settlement agreement between the tribe and the federal government that would en- able transfers of lands into trust. —Paul Franson