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THE FIGHT GOES ON
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Department of Interior Issues
“Record of Decision”
Our coalition will explore all avenues to continue fighting this project, protecting our local taxpayers and the community. If you have not signed the Speak Up Shasta petition, please do so by clicking the 'Sign The Petition' button below.
Department of Interior Issues
“Record of Decision”
on Strawberry Fields.
Without fanfare, the Federal Department of Interior has issued its long awaited Record of Decision in the Redding Rancheria’s proposed mega-casino development at Strawberry Fields. In a document dated July 1 – but not announced until yesterday, the government writes that the 226 acres of land at Strawberry Fields will be taken in trust for the Redding Rancheria “for gaming and other purposes”.
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“This decision flaunts the plain laws that govern tribal gaming and the voices of thousands of local residents who oppose this project. We are going nowhere – and neither is that casino,” said Robb Korinke of Speak Up Shasta.
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Speak Up Shasta thanks everyone who has fought with us to oppose this project. We are not through fighting, and this is not defeat.
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Sham Process Ignored the Voices of Thousands of Shasta Residents
The Redding Rancheria has gamed the system of approvals for this project, “pausing” and “unpausing” their application as Presidential terms changed and not followed the proscribed “Two Part Determination” process that tribes with existing casinos must follow. The process would have given voice to the residents, businesses and local tribes who have opposed this project for its detrimental impacts to the community.
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Shasta County Residents Will Foot the Bill for this Casino
The “deal” signed last summer by the County of Shasta will shortchange Shasta taxpayers by as much as $100 million over the next 30 years. Reasonable requests for the Rancheria to underwrite costs to police, fire, traffic and other services were totally rejected by 4 County Supervisors, who ignored the advice of their own attorney, Sheriff, Fire Chief and District Attorney.
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Decision Ignores the Cultural History of Strawberry Fields
Extensive archaeological studies suggest Strawberry Fields is the site of the Sacramento River Massacre, which saw the killing of up to 1,000 Native Americans of the Wintu and other tribes. Historian Benjamin Madley described as “one of the largest yet least-known massacres in the history of the United States”. Efforts to protect this site are underway and the massacre should be a central point of consideration prior to paving over an undeveloped pasture of great historical significance.
What is Next for the Fight to Save Strawberry Fields?
Our coalition will explore all avenues to continue fighting this project, protecting our local taxpayers and the community. If you have not signed the Speak Up Shasta petition, please do so, so we can keep you informed about our ongoing efforts.