The Ione Band of Miwok Indians has been in a legal dispute for more than 15 years regarding its efforts to build a gaming establishment on 220 acres of land in Plymouth along State Highway 49.

The Native American group acquired the land in 2012. But county officials interjected by suing the tribe in federal court on claims that it had no historical ties to the area. If that was the case, the Ione Band of Miwok Indians would have no legal authority to operate a tribal gaming facility there.