Big Sandy Rancheria Band of Western Mono Indians Casino and Resort Project

Draft EIS Public Hearing

Wednesday, February 2, 20116 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Foothill Middle School29143 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 AgencyU.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pacific Region

Overview

• 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 ProjectDevelopment 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 ProjectDevelopment 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:• 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 ProcessThe Notice of Intent is published in theFederal Register.

Issues of concern are identified through theScoping Process including a public meeting.

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 theAgency’s decision on the Proposed Action.

Notice of Intent

Scoping Process

Draft EIS

Public Review of Draft EIS

Final EIS

Record of Decision

Public InvolvementScoping – Previous opportunity for public comment in writingand 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 withcomments accepted through March 28, 2011

Final EIS and Record of Decision – The Final EIS will be available for 30days for public review, after which the Record of Decision may be signed.

Notices of the availability of project documents for public reviewwill be distributed to the project mailing list and published in thelocal papers in a timely manner.

Contact InformationComments must be received by March 28, 2011

Address written comments to: Amy Dutschke, Regional DirectorPacific RegionBureau of Indian Affairs2800 Cottage WaySacramento, CA 95825

Please include your name, return address, and “DEIS Comments, Big SandyRancheria” on first page of comments.

Comments may also be submitted verbally or in writing following this presentation at the public hearing