Transcript Slide 1

Big Sandy Rancheria Band of Western Mono
Indians Casino and Resort Project
Draft EIS Public Hearing
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Foothill Middle School
29143 Auberry Rd. Multi-Purpose Room
Prather, CA 93651
Big Sandy Rancheria Casino and Resort
Overview
Draft EIS prepared for the Big Sandy Rancheria Band of
Western Mono Indians Casino and Resort Project
Lead Agency
U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pacific Region
Overview
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Project Location
Purpose and Need
Alternatives
Environmental Issues
NEPA Process and Public Involvement
Contact Information
Project Location
•Approx 5 miles east
of Friant in Fresno
County, CA
•48-acre parcel
•Proposed project
access road from
Millerton Road
Purpose and Need
• Provide revenues for necessary tribal governmental
programs and services, including tribal operations and
programs; including education, housing, health care
and social welfare programs and services.
• Improve the general welfare of the Tribe and its
members.
• Provide employment opportunities for Tribal members
and other members of the community.
• Encourage the protection and preservation of
significant historic properties on the subject
trust/allotment land.
Alternatives
Alternative 1—Proposed Project
Alternative 2—Reduced Project
Alternative 3—No Hotel
Alternative 4—Non‐Gaming Resort Hotel
Alternative 5—No Action
Alternative 1 – Proposed Project
Development of a gaming
and entertainment facility
that will include a gaming
floor with 2000 slot
machines and 40 table
games, restaurant and
lounge facilities, an
entertainment hall, a
hotel and conference
center, a multi-level
parking garage, a
wastewater treatment
plant, and a water supply
system
Alternative 2 – Reduced Project
Development would be 72% of
the proposed gaming floor and
70% of the proposed
entertainment hall in
Alternative 1.
The gaming floor would
accommodate approximately
1,500 slot machines, 30 table
games, and 10 poker tables.
The parking facility, dining
areas, hotel, convention center,
back of house areas, and other
offices and facilities would be
the same as Alternative 1.
Alternative 3 – No Hotel
Eliminates the hotel
and associated
facilities, but is
otherwise the same as
Alternative 1.
The gaming floor
would accommodate
2,000 slot machines,
40 table games, and
15 poker tables.
Alternative 4 –
Non-Gaming Resort Hotel
Development would
include a hotel,
meeting facilities, a
restaurant, a spa and
pool, parking, and
water and wastewater
treatment facilities.
Neither a casino nor
any other gaming
facility would be
included.
Alternative 5 – No Action
The Resort and Casino would not be built and no major
development would occur on the subject property.
The subject property would continue to be used as it is
under existing conditions.
Environmental Issues
Environmental issues evaluated in the DEIS include:
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Water Resources
Public Health
Aesthetics
Agriculture
Air Quality/Greenhouse
Gases
• Biological Resources
• Cultural Resources
• Geology, Soils, and Mineral
Resources; Paleontology
• Hazards
• Land Use
• Noise
• Public Services and Utilities
• Traffic
NEPA Process
Notice of Intent
The Notice of Intent is published in the
Federal Register.
Scoping Process
Issues of concern are identified through the
Scoping Process including a public meeting.
Draft EIS
Public Review of Draft EIS
Final EIS
Record of Decision
The Draft EIS is prepared and published.
The Draft EIS is available for review for at least
45 days (75 days for this project).
The Final EIS is prepared and published
(30-day review period).
The Record of Decision summarizes the
Agency’s decision on the Proposed Action.
Public Involvement
Scoping – Previous opportunity for public comment in writing
and at public hearing on September 15, 2005.
Draft EIS – Draft EIS is available for public review for 75 days.
Review period includes a 30 day extension to the required 45 day
circulation period. Opportunity for public comment in writing and at
this public hearing. Notice of availability issued January 14, 2011 with
comments accepted through March 28, 2011
Final EIS and Record of Decision – The Final EIS will be available for 30
days for public review, after which the Record of Decision may be
signed.
Notices of the availability of project documents for public review
will be distributed to the project mailing list and published in the
local papers in a timely manner.
Contact Information
Comments must be received by March 28, 2011
Address written comments to:
Amy Dutschke, Regional Director
Pacific Region
Bureau of Indian Affairs
2800 Cottage Way
Sacramento, CA 95825
Please include your name, return address, and “DEIS Comments, Big Sandy
Rancheria” on first page of comments.
Comments may also be submitted verbally or in writing following this
presentation at the public hearing