Gov. Brown Signs Casino Compact With Sonoma County Indian Tribe

ROHNERT PARK (KCBS)— Governor Jerry Brown signed a compact with the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Friday in a move that would make a casino in Sonoma County a step closer to reality.

The compact allows the operation of 3,000 slot machines by the 1,300-member tribe and has provisions to protect the community and the environment.

Supporters said the project will help the local economy but Pastor Chip Worthington with Stop the Casino 101 Coalition said it will cause great harm and that Sonoma County has been "betrayed" by the Governor Brown.

"This will make Highway 101 a parking lot from Petaluma to Santa Rosa," said Worthington adding that the sewage treatment plant is "in violation of EPA regulations and will pollute the laguna."

The compact needs to be approved by the state legislature and then would need to be ratified by the federal Department of the Interior.

Worthington said his group would continue their fight there.

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