The Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation’s efforts to ratify a new gaming compact with the state received support from Del Norte County supervisors on Tuesday.

The new Tribal-State Gaming Compact between the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, which operates Lucky 7 Casino, and the State of California — SB 869 — allows the ability to offer off-track wagering to its patrons.

The new compact will also provide improved labor relations and a workers compensation program in addition to the ability to mitigate off-reservation environmental impacts, according to Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation Executive Director Troy Ralstin.

“Ratification with the tribal-state gaming compact with the passage of SB 869 will allow the tribe to continue to operate a class 3 gaming facility in Del Norte County in a manner which is consistent, fair and responsible to gaming regulations and standards,” Ralstin said, reading a statement from Tribal Chairwoman Leann McCallum. “The tribe will continue to strengthen its local economy by providing upwards of 250 jobs, as well as providing support to local law enforcement, fire, emergency services…”

The Board of Supervisors’ letter of support comes after California Governor Gavin Newsom  on Aug. 4 signed tribal-state gaming compacts with several Native American tribes, including the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation.

According to a news release from the Governor’s office, the compact, “respect the parties’ interest in improving the quality of life of tribal members through a framework that generates revenue for governmental programs, while also fairly regulating the gaming activities; affording meaningful patron and employee protections; and mitigating the off-reservation impacts of the gaming facility.”

According to Ralstin, the tribal-state compact will go to the California legislature, which will ratify the governor’s signature.

“Right now where we’re at is the governor and their team have successfully negotiated between the tribe and the state to come up with an agreement that I guess we’ll say is agreeable to both parties to be able to move forward,” Ralstin said.

Though he wasn’t opposed to the new compact, Del Norte County Board Chairman Gerry Hemmingsen said he was disappointed that he and his colleagues weren’t included in the process earlier.

“We had a meeting a week or so (ago) that really didn’t go over in detail the changes,” he said. “I would think there would be a little more effort put in to local government consultation.”

Hemmingsen’s colleague, District 3 Supervisor Chris Howard asked Ralstin what the county’s role in the process would be since Newsom already signed the current compact.

Howard said he was supportive of the new language in the compact related to workers’ rights, saying it was a “fairly progressive stance” taken by the state.

“We thought it was a big step by the tribe to take action on those areas,” Howard said, referring to a meeting he and Hemmingsen had with tribal representatives. “It was something you saw coming forward in three previous gaming compacts out of Southern California, and reflects well that the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation has taken up these issues with the compact at this round.”

According to County Administrative Officer Jay Sarina, Del Norte County’s involvement is limited when it comes to tribal-state gaming compacts. He referred to a section in a memorandum of understanding with the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation which allows for negotiations regarding a development that would trigger an environmental impact document.

Documents

• Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation letter to Del Norte County Supervisors

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