Neighbors Oppose Casinos

That project is advanced by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. Passage of the legislation was eased by the tribe's assurance at the time that it had no plans for a gambling venture, but the final bill spelled out no such prohibition.
The site has been acquired for the casino by Las Vegas gambling interests that are the tribe's business partners. The tribe says the land corresponds to its "aboriginal territory" but it has been looking at possible alternative sites that might have greater community support.

Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Petaluma, who opposes the casino, is joined by Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Napa, in seeking to amend the tribal restoration act -- to bring the casino plan under "a rigorous process of review" by the secretary of the interior.

Though the disputed tract near Sears Point is not immediately in the Bay Area's urban grid, it is also not in a remote rural site California voters thought they were approving for Indian gaming.