President Donald Trump signed a $738 billion spending package that was passed by Congress. In that package, there is an essential provision for the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians.
Pomo Indians are based in Petaluma and Sonoma Counties in California. Rep. Jared Huffman-San Rafael sponsored a bill in Congress that will not only create a homeland for the Lytton Band near Winsor California but also ban the establishment of new gaming properties in Sonoma County.
The federal government stripped Lytton Band land ownership status in 1961. Thirty years later, the Band was recognized as a Native American tribe, but the land ownership status was not restored.
A Long, Winding Road
According to Casino.org, Lytton tribes have a long way to regaining their land. The former Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock, also sponsored a bill seeking the establishment of Homeland for the Lytton Rancheria tribe. However, the bill was not approved until Huffman took a bill that will restore the tribe’s land status, but keep the land free from gaming properties.
Lytton Band plans to develop almost 150 homes, 200-room hotel, and winery in the land.
No More Casinos In Sonoma County
Sonoma County is already home to three gaming property, the Parkwest Casino Sonoma, the Graton Resort and Casino, and River Rock Casino. Although the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo has used land in the county, the tribe has agreed not to establish another gaming property in the region until 2025.
