The Obama administration has granted federal approval for a proposed casino resort in Madera County.

North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California is looking to build the project along Highway 99 about four miles north of Madera. Tribe leaders say it would create about 1,500 jobs and pump millions of dollars into the local economy.

"It's a huge step. It's a step that needed to happen for all the other steps to take place," said Maryann McGovran, Vice Chairperson of the North Fork Rancheria Tribal Council.

The project was granted approval under a rare exception to federal law. Under federal law, tribes can build casinos on reservations that existed before October 1988 but not on lands taken into trust after that date, leaders said. Exceptions can be made when the Interior Department feels the project would not hurt the surrounding community. Department leaders said the proposed project along Highway 99 would benefit the tribe economically and not hurt the surrounding community. North Fork Rancheria has a "historical connection" to the piece of land, federal leaders added.

"The Department of the Interior over the last 7 years has decided 'You're right. You have a strong historical tie to this land. You have every right to do what you're going to do," McGovran said.

But Picayune Rancheria Chairman Reggie Lewis disagrees with the federal government's conclusion about North Fork Rancheria's ties to the land that the project would sit on. He plans to fight its decision.

"They would actually be encroaching on the Chowchillans. And they would be encroaching on other valley Indians down there. And it's not fair for them to be able to do that when they have their own place up there in the mountains," said Lewis.

Lewis says he's not worried about increased competition. He hopes to meet face-to-face with Governor Jerry Brown in the coming months. He may take legal action to try to delay the project, he added. 

"We are not against them gaming. Just do it on your own land. Follow the rules like everyone else has had to do," said Lewis.

Governor Brown has one year to concur with last week's decision or reject it, leaders said.