Shasta County Supervisors have granted approval for a 30-year agreement with the Redding Rancheria, facilitating the provision of services to a new casino and resort. The project is slated for construction on tribe-owned property adjacent to the freeway south of Redding. Despite the 4-1 vote in favor of the agreement, concerns were raised by public safety officials, who asserted that they were not consulted during the negotiation process. This report examines the terms of the agreement, the perspectives of public safety officials, and the ongoing regulatory considerations for the proposed casino and resort.
Approval and Agreement Overview
Shasta County Supervisors voted 4-1 to approve a 30-year agreement with the Redding Rancheria, allowing for the development of a new casino and resort on tribe-owned property. The site is strategically located next to the freeway south of Redding. The agreement encompasses various terms, including financial contributions to law enforcement, fire and emergency services, as well as traffic mitigation measures.
Concerns Raised by Public Safety Officials
During the approval process, public safety officials, including Shasta County Sheriff Michael Johnson and Fire Chief Sean O’Hara, expressed concerns about not being consulted during the negotiation of the agreement. Sheriff Johnson highlighted that he became aware of the agreement only six days prior to the meeting, emphasizing the lack of involvement in the negotiation process. Fire Chief O’Hara echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for accurate and timely information to evaluate the potential impact on relevant departments.
Section 3: Terms of the Deal
The terms of the agreement include a one-time payment of $1.6 million to the Redding Rancheria, with additional allocations of $1 million each to law enforcement and fire and emergency services. The deal also encompasses a fair share of traffic mitigation measures. Subsequent payments will be structured at $1,000 per call for law enforcement, $10,000 per call for fire service, a transient occupancy tax at the county’s rate, and an annual contribution of $50,000 for road and traffic controls.
Tribal Perspective and Ongoing Regulatory Process
Redding Rancheria CEO Tracy Edwards addressed concerns by stating that the agreement had been under negotiation since 2019. Edwards emphasized that the tribe has been collaborating with county staff and various entities for years, underscoring the negotiated nature of the agreement. The tribe is now awaiting the final ruling by the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs regarding the proposed relocation, adding a layer of regulatory consideration to the project.
The approval of the 30-year agreement marks a significant step forward for the Redding Rancheria’s plans to establish a new casino and resort. Despite concerns voiced by public safety officials, the terms of the agreement outline substantial financial contributions to law enforcement, fire services, and traffic mitigation. As the project progresses, ongoing regulatory considerations, including the awaited decision by the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs, will shape the future of the proposed casino and resort development in Shasta County.