Pomo hopes
Tribe's plans for Windsor land face
bevy of questions, emotions
July 3, 2001
Press Democrat Editorial
Issues of tribal rights and gambling are emotionally charged enough without
adding such political hot-buttons as water hookups, increased density and
traffic to the mix.
Residents of Windsor and members of the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians
are destined to confront all of the above in light of a Pomo plan to acquire
50 acres of land just west of the city limits.
This proposal comes with a complex and sensitive past -- and faces a
similar future. The Lytton Band of Pomo Indians is among three Sonoma
County tribes that were disbanded by the U.S. government four decades
ago and still owns no land.
The Lytton Band recently received Congressional approval to run a casino
in San Pablo, and, although that proposal still needs the governor's OK,
the
tribe plans to use profits from the casino to build 50 homes off Windsor
River Road.
Neighbors there, however, are understandably concerned about how this
will work. The property is just outside Windsor's urban growth boundary
and is only zoned for 10 homes. Questions also remain about water and
sewer connections, traffic and school construction. Although tribal leaders
vow not to build a casino there, neighbors know that once the land is
declared a reservation, Windsor will have little say over what can be done
with the property.
At the same time, the neighbors and Sonoma County officials need to
answer another challenging question: if this is not the best place for
the
Lytton Pomos tribal land, then where? The government has already
determined that the Lytton Pomos, who regained their tribal status in 1991
under a settlement with the Interior Department, were mistreated and
deserve a place to call their own. But where?
Discord may be an inevitable obstacle, but it's not a necessary outcome.
Windsor residents want to protect what they have. The Lytton Pomos want
to build what they don't have -- self-sufficiency and a home.
These are not mutually exclusive. But they will require work, patience
and a
respect for opposing viewpoints.