Enterprise Rancheria Casino Hearing

MARYSVILLE, CA - The Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs held a public hearing last Wednesday to take local comments on the draft environmental impact statement prepared for an Indian casino planned by the Enterprise Rancheria in Butte County. The report was released last month and defines the impacts to air quality, traffic and water issues in south Yuba.

The casino will be a $150 million project in the enterprise zone off Forty Mile Road near Highway 65. It includes a 2-story, 207,760-square-foot casino and an 8-story, 107,125-square-foot hotel with 170 rooms.

Nearly a hundred community residents, tribal members, and public officials attended the hearing to express their support or opposition. Supporters cited new jobs and economic benefits while opponents cited traffic, crime, and problem gambling. The number of supporters far exceeded the opponents.

The environment study also lists four alternatives to the current plan:

• A gambling facility reduced to 148,515 square feet and without a hotel
• A non-gaming alternative, including a water park, miniature golf course and hotel
• A change in location to construct a 20,000-square-foot casino in Butte County
• A no-action alternative

If the casino is approved it could open as soon as 2010.

Written comments on the environmental impact study can still be submitted though May 5th by mailing them to:
          Amy Dutschke
          Acting Regional Director
          Pacific Regional Office
          Bureau of Indian Affairs
          2800 Cottage Way
          Sacramento, CA 95825.

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