A federal judge in the United States has mandated the removal of a 68-acre land parcel from federal trust status, impacting the Koi Nation of Northern California’s proposed casino project in Sonoma County.

In a ruling dated September 22, Judge Rita F. Lin confirmed an earlier verdict, representing a significant legal success for the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria (FIGR), who manage the nearby Graton Resort & Casino, the largest gaming facility in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Koi Nation, a small group of Pomo Indians, had intended to construct a casino with 400 hotel rooms and a massive 530,000-square-foot gaming complex, featuring 2,750 gaming machines and over 100 table games near Windsor. The tribe purchased the property in 2021 for $12.3 million.

In two separate lawsuits, the Graton Rancheria accused the U.S. Department of the Interior of failing to consult regarding cultural resources and improperly acknowledging the Koi’s historical connection to the land. Judge Lin concurred, stating that the Interior Department had “railroaded the (Graton) tribe at every turn” during the approval process.

The judge dismissed the argument from government lawyers that the land could remain in trust while the Koi Nation pursued an appeal, despite the tribe’s written assurance not to “engage in any casino development” during that time. Lin highlighted that “FIGR has met its burden for the requested injunctive relief reversing the land-into-trust transaction.”

The Koi Nation expressed their disappointment with the ruling, stating: “The Koi Nation has fought for generations for a land base to ensure a future for the Koi people.” They plan to appeal to the Ninth Circuit, expressing confidence that “justice will prevail,” as per their statement to The Press Democrat.

The tribe defended the initial federal decision to place the land in trust as “thorough, meticulous, and lawful in all aspects,” citing extensive “technical, scientific, and historical data” to support their claims.

Opposition from the local community and political figures was substantial. Residents of the Shiloh neighborhood, where the property is situated, raised concerns about increased traffic, noise, water usage, crime, and evacuation risks in case of wildfires. Even state officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom, opposed the project.

While the Koi Nation still holds ownership of the land, they cannot develop a casino there unless the ruling is overturned on appeal.