While Gov. Jerry Brown ponders whether to give the Enterprise Rancheria casino project his OK, a steady stream of letters being sent to his office are hoping to tip the scales either for or against.
Those urging the governor to turn the casino down include U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the Yuba-Sutter Farm Bureau and an Indian casino watchdog group, while Marysville, building trades groups and economic development organizations are in support.
Members of the casino's sponsoring tribe, the Estom Yumeka Maidu, said the main points cited by the opposition are largely ones vetted and rejected by the U.S. Department of the Interior, which gave its OK to the casino in September.
"This really isn't anything new," said tribal chair Glenda Nelson, adding she believes the casino will ultimately get the governor's necessary approval because, among other reasons, it's economically beneficial.
"Ultimately, this is about economic development," Nelson said.
The tribe and casino supporters have said the project will create hundreds of construction jobs and later ongoing employment at the casino and hotel.
Tribe spokesman Charles Altekruse said the casino would also pump $5 million into the local community annually, pointing out both Yuba County and the city of Marysville have supported it.
Nelson and Altekruse pointed out some of the opposition has also come from tribes whose casinos would compete with Enterprise Rancheria, which would be in the county's sports and entertainment zone near Sleep Train Amphitheatre.
Other tribes, including some with casinos, support the Yuba County proposal, they said.
However, one opposing group lodged its concerns this week over what a member said would be a bad precedent set if the project is approved.
Cheryl Schmitt, of watchdog group Stand Up for California!, said in a press release that approval of Enterprise Rancheria and another casino in Madera County would open the door for more casinos in urban areas.
"These off-reservation casinos are in direct violation of the promises made to voters that Indian gaming would remain on Indian lands," Schmitt said in the letter to the governor's office. Group members did not return calls for comment Friday.
Nelson said the federal government has determined Yuba County is part of her tribe's aboriginal lands.
After the federal government's OK two months ago, the governor has until next September to issue his decision on the casino's fate.
A spokesman for the governor said in an email Friday that Brown has received input from many interested parties, and the governor's office would continue communication with all of them to make sure all interests are considered.
The spokesman, Evan Westrup, did not indicate exactly how much correspondence the governor's office has received over the issue.
CONTACT reporter Ben van der Meer at 749-4786.