River Rock Casino

TIMELINE of River Rock Casino

2002
River Rock Casino opened with a temporary tent structure (which exists today) and approximately 1,100 slot machines and 22 card tables on a 75-acre Rancheria off Highway 128 in Alexander Valley, Sonoma County.

2008
INITIAL MOA: Initial Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between the Tribe of Dry Creek Rancheria and Sonoma County Board of Supervisors with the Alexander Valley Association also a signee of the agreement. Note: 

This original MOA has undergone multiple revisions including in 2017.

2017
RENEGOTIATE UPDATED MOA: The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was drastically reduced including a significant payment of over $3 Million dollars a year to the county for impacts sustained to the Alexander Valley community including law enforcement, fire protect and road improvements due to financial losses as stated from River Rock Casino due to their grievance of direct competition from Graton Casino in Rohnert Park alongside re-negotiations of the ABC liquor license.

2022 August
PROPOSED ARMOA PREVIEWED ON BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WEBSITE

First public knowledge of River Rock Casino’s intent to propose a new scope of 200-room hotel, three additional restaurants, spa, salon, fitness room, multi-function event center and wedding chapel and updates and significant changes to the Memorandum of Agreement. 

Board of Supervisors SUMMARY REPORT 8/9/2022

Sonoma County Board of Supervisors had scheduled a voting of an Approval of Amended and Restated Memorandum of Agreement which will supersede all prior MOA versions regarding the Dry Creek Rancheria, Band of Pomo Indians and River Rock Casino and any upcoming Resort projects and operations on the Tribe’s Rancheria, Dugan properties near Geyserville and Petaluma trust lands.

Vote postponed after AVA protested the vote with little to no knowledge of the proposed MOA.

2022 December
PROPOSED ARMOA MADE PUBLIC WITH UPDATES

Proposed Amended Restated Memorandum of Agreement (ARMOA) from River Rock Casino with Sonoma County Counsel and Board of Supervisors.

Sonoma County Board of Supervisors considering amending the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Dry Creek Rancheria, Band of Pomo Indians in anticipation of the Dry Creek Rancheria’s plans to build a (increased size) 300-room resort adjacent to the River Rock Casino.

2023 February 28
Board of Supervisors Voted and Approved the new ARMOA

Sonoma County Board of Supervisors is voted and approved the Amended and Restated Memorandum of Agreement between Dry Creek Rancheria, Band of Pomo Indians and the County of Sonoma (ARMOA) excluding the Alexander Valley Association and its residents. 

Although the Alexander Valley Association does not have a seat at the table as in years past, the community has all rights to complain to the county if there are any impacts which are direct affect from the impacts of River Rock Casino and its business.