North Fork Project Clears Another Regulatory Hurdle in California

The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians could soon begin building its inaugural tribal land-based casino after the Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission signed off on its management agreement with operator Station Casinos LLC.

The necessary approval from the office of Sequoyah Simermeyer was over 20 years in the making and means the pair will be able to break ground on the $400 million California development currently known as the North Fork Project later this year in hopes of having its doors open by the end of 2026.

Protracted Plan

The federally-recognized North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians inked a deal with the Red Rock Resorts Incorporated subordinate in 2003 so as to allow the Las Vegas-headquartered firm to develop and operate the proposed North Fork Project on its behalf. The finished facility is to sit on a 305-acre parcel of tribal land located just north of the small central Californian city of Madera and boast a 100,000 sq ft casino offering more than 2,000 slot and video poker machines alongside some 40 table games encompassing blackjack, pai gow and three-card poker titles.

The North Fork Project was first envisioned in the late-1990s as a way of helping the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians achieve economic independence via the creation of an estimated 1,500 new jobs. The tribe went on to agree a gaming compact with the office of California Governor Jerry Brown in 2012 after having its plan approved by the United States Department of Interior under the terms of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Considerable Obstacles

However, construction on the Madera County scheme was stalled by legal challenges brought by a group of local activists and the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians in 2013 and 2014 respectively. These actions proved fruitless and were ultimately thrown out by the California Supreme Court in August of 2020 so as to open the way for National Indian Gaming Commission consideration.

Rich Regard

Fred Beihn, Chairperson for the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians, asserted the coming North Fork Project will moreover host ‘exciting dining and beverage options, ample parking and easy and convenient access from California State Route 99’. He went on to express his delight at the approval of his tribe’s management contract with Station Casinos LLC, which is responsible for almost 20 gambling-friendly venues spread across southern Nevada.

“Our tribe is grateful to have a partner so committed to the principles of tribal sovereignty and to bringing the full benefits of tribal gaming to our tribe and community.” Beihn said.

Extreme Enthusiasm

For its part, Station Casinos LLC previously oversaw the development and operation of two California casinos, the 135,000 sq ft Graton Casino and Resort as well as the even larger Thunder Valley Casino Resort, but handed these back to their respective tribal owners upon the completion of their seven-year management agreements. The company’s President, Scott Kreeger, admitted to being ‘thrilled’ with the ‘successful achievement of this pivotal milestone in advancing the North Fork Project’ and extended his ‘heartfelt congratulations to the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians community’ on reaching this next stage of the process.

“We are excited to help the tribe bring this exciting project to fruition, fostering economic prosperity for the surrounding community and tribal members through the creation of permanent job opportunities,” Kreeger stated. “We look forward to supporting the tribe in the finalization of its splendid facility and contributing to the success of this remarkable endeavor.”