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Community Urges Governor Davis to Enforce Tribal Compact24 April 2003HEALDSBURG, California -- (Press Release) -- State legislative officials met last week with representatives from the Alexander Valley Association, (AVA), Stand Up For California! citizen advocacy group, and local Sonoma county legislators to discuss the Tribal State Class III Gaming Compact section 9.1 (the "Compact") and the "meet and confer process" which was presented to the Dry Creek Rancheria Pomo Tribe and commenced on July 12, 2002. Failure for the Tribe to comply with the Compact has resulted in significant, negative effects on the community's environmental and social structure. The Alexander Valley Association supports the efforts the local government is seeking for a mitigated, judicially enforceable agreement between it and the tribal government. "We appreciate the Governor's legislative officials making an effort to uphold the rules of the Compact," said Cheryl Schmit, director, Stand Up for California. "It is critical for the Governor to enforce this agreement to ensure the health and safety of all community residents as well as the environmental compliance that is required to maintain the integrity of natural resources." AVA and Sonoma County representatives discussed with legislative officials Deborah Barnes, deputy secretary for Law Enforcement and Counsel, California Environmental Protection Agency; and Eric Wiesenthal, legislative analyst, Office of Governor Gray Davis, Planning and Research; the inability of the Tribe to address issues breaching the Compact including those that pose serious threats to the Alexander Valley and its residents: -- Fire and environmental hazards -- Public safety issues including traffic control, lack of emergency evacuation access and processes -- Roadway issues including erosion, land slides and narrowness of the access road both on the ingress and egress -- Unmitigated, off-site, un-zoned parking on county property -- Unlawful infringement on private property -- Continuing court case over legal use of residential access for gaming purposes vs. residential use "The residents of Alexander Valley continue to have very serious concerns about their safety and the impact of the casino on surrounding area resources," said Ralph Sceales, president of the Alexander Valley Association. "The unwillingness of the Tribe to collaborate with local government and the residents is injurious to the public, law enforcement and fire officials. This puts the entire community at risk -- both residents and visitors alike. We hope the efforts of the local government to seek a judicially enforceable agreement with the tribal government will result in a mitigation of these issues." |