One step closer: BIA issues environmental statement on Eagle Mountain Casino move

Public comment period open until Nov. 5

The Tule River Indian Tribe moved closer to the approval of the Eagle Mountain Casino relocation with the issuance by the Bureau of Indian Affairs of its draft environmental impact statement (EIS) on the proposed relocation.

“The Tule River Tribe has spent years working on Eagle Mountain Casino’s potential relocation,” said Chairman Neil Peyron. “Today we have reached a milestone and we look forward to soliciting public comment on our relocation.”

The proposed casino would be located on a 40-acre site adjacent to the Porterville Airport. The land has been owned by the Tribe for more than 25 years and is within the Tribe’s aboriginal territory.

The proposed casino would include a 250 room hotel, 29,000 square feet of convention space, a banquet hall and meeting space, a sports bar, restaurant, buffet and food court, an entertainment lounge and 1,700 seat entertainment center.

“We truly believe that this relocation will benefit Porterville, Tulare County and the Tribe by providing new jobs while addressing existing water and traffic concerns,” said Chairman Peyron.

The project will create over 1,000 construction jobs and millions in annual wages. Following the construction, the casino and hotel will nearly double its existing workforce.

The Tribe has historically faced water restrictions and drought, which led to a building moratorium on its lands. With the casino relocation, the Tribe will be able to reallocate its water resources, which could lead to more than 80 new homes being built on the

Reservation.

In addition, the Tribe is working closely with city officials to ensure that the move does not impact the existing water resources. The Tribe is attempting to achieve a net-zero impact on the region's potable water through the development of a tertiary water treatment facility.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs issued its Notice of Availability informing the public of the release of draft EIS and commencing the 45-day comment period. The draft EIS considers the potential economic, environmental, infrastructure and societal impacts of relocating the casino. The 540-page report and additional information on the project are available at www. tulerivereis.com.

There will be a public hearing on Monday, Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Porterville Veterans Memorial Building, 1900 West Olive Ave.