California’s Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, has raised objections to the Department of the Interior regarding the construction of two tribal casinos, stating that they would violate legal limits on restored lands. Newsom sent a letter to the US Department of the Interior’s secretary, Deb Haaland, urging her to oppose the proposed tribal casino projects in Solano and Sonoma counties.

The Koi Nation of Northern California and the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians are looking to build new casinos on lands that are not part of their aboriginal homelands. According to Newsom, approving these projects would exceed the boundaries set by the restored lands exception.

In addition, moving forward with the construction of these casinos would bypass the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and disregard the concerns expressed by tribal governments and local communities. The Governor’s Office criticized the Department of the Interior for not considering alternative locations within the tribes’ Lake County homelands.

One of the supporters of Newsom’s stance is The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, a federally recognized tribe that includes Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo Indians. The tribe commended the Governor for defending tribal sovereignty and opposing the Department of the Interior’s hurried approval of these projects, as stated by chairman Greg Sarris.