The discovery of American Indian artifacts at the site of levee work in south Yuba County has sparked a dispute between Enterprise Rancheria and another tribe opposing its casino project.

Oroville-based Mooretown Rancheria sent a letter to the Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority earlier this month questioning why the authority had contacted Enterprise for proper treatment of the artifacts after crews discovered them last October.

"Did the experts approach Mechoopda, Berry Creek, and Mooretown, who also have lands in federal trust in Butte County, to determine to which of the Butte County tribes the remains should be rightfully entrusted?" stated the letter, written by tribal chairman Gary Archuleta. "What criteria established that the remains you found were not from Berry Creek or Mechoopda?"

Archuleta's letter later suggests the authority approached Enterprise Rancheria because Yuba County stands to benefit if the tribe gets federal and state approval to build a casino and hotel near Sleep Train Amphitheater in south Yuba County.

TRLIA's board includes two county supervisors, Mary Jane Griego and John Nicoletti.

Enterprise Rancheria hopes to receive approval for its casino this year, though the project was first proposed in 2002 and was supposed to have been resolved within two years. Mooretown Rancheria opposes the project. "It calls into question the entire process if you indeed rely upon 'experts' from the Enterprise Rancheria in your efforts to comply with laws that require the consultation of Indian tribes in regards to disturbed sacred sites," Archuleta wrote.

But TRLIA didn't make the call to involve Enterprise Rancheria, according to a response letter from authority executive director Paul Brunner.

That directive came from the California Native American Heritage Commission, which handled the inquiry from TRLIA on who to deal with over the artifacts. State and federal law requires proper treatment of such sites.

The commission determined Enterprise Rancheria was the most likely descendent for the human remains and artifacts found at the site, which is in an undisclosed location because of sensitivity to possible looters or other disturbances.

Brunner said Thursday the commission's decision had nothing to do with a casino proposal or how it would benefit the county.

TRLIA and Enterprise Rancheria officials agreed to have the artifacts reburied before the authority builds a new levee on top of it. Brunner said the levee work has been started.

"I think it's pretty clear by the record that we have done all the procedures we had to do," Brunner said, adding he hasn't heard from Mooretown Rancheria since he sent the response letter last week. "The (Native American Heritage Commission) made their determination, and we're following that determination."

Archuleta did not return a call for comment.

Glenda Nelson, Enterprise Rancheria's tribal chair, said her tribal members have responded to requests for assistance with cultural sites on several occasions.

"We know where our aboriginal lands are," she said. "As far as our ancestors go, we were taking care of them long before any of these other issues came up."

She said it seemed obvious Mooretown Rancheria sent the letter because it opposes her tribe's possible casino.

Mooretown Rancheria operates the Feather Falls Casino near Oroville. Archuleta has said he opposes Enterprise Rancheria's efforts to build a casino because they constitute "reservation shopping," or finding a place to build a casino off reservation land before trying to get approval for one