Department of the Interior Affirms Due-Process Protections for Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians

VALLEJO, CA — The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians announced that it received formal on Wednesday notice from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) confirming that the federal agency will reconsider the Tribe’s Gaming Eligibility Determination for the Vallejo Site in a process that upholds the Tribe’s due-process rights.

In a letter dated December 3, 2025, Assistant Secretary–Indian Affairs William Kirkland informed Tribal Chairman Shawn Davis that the Department will move forward with a new review of the January 10, 2025, decision recognizing the Vallejo Site as being eligible for gaming under federal law. The notice follows the October 30, 2025, ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, which vacated DOI’s prior gaming eligibility rescission for affording the Tribe the due process protections required by the U.S. Constitution.

“Today’s acknowledgment by the Department affirms what the Scotts Valley Band has consistently sought: due process grounded in transparency, respect, and the rule of law,” said Scotts Valley Tribal Chairman Shawn Davis. “We are confident that a fair process will uphold our gaming eligibility because the law and facts are squarely on our side.”

DOI Commits to a Fair and Expedited Process.

The letter invites the Tribe to meet promptly to discuss the review process and encourages Scotts Valley to provide additional evidence or legal analysis regarding its connections to the Vallejo Site. The Department also committed to sharing submissions provided by other parties.

Tribe Will Continue to Advance Its Vallejo Project.

The land is already in trust for the Tribe, and reconsideration would not alter the sovereign status of the Tribe’s homeland in Vallejo. The Tribe also maintains gaming eligibility for their homeland during the reconsideration period. Chairman Davis emphasized that the project planning will continue while the Department completes its review.

“Scotts Valley remains fully committed to developing opportunities on its trust land that will bring jobs, economic growth, and community investment to the City of Vallejo,” said Chairman Davis. “We continue to move forward to build shared opportunity and prosperity.”

To learn more about the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, visit: https://www.scottsvalley-nsn.gov/heritage.