The final report finds impacts that are significant and unavoidable to scenic vistas and the local view shed because of lighting and glare issues. Less than significant, according to the report because of mitigation measures, are the impacts from road improvements to surrounding farmlands- however the report does state that the impacts from vehicle emissions will be significant and unavoidable. Disturbances to wild life should be a mitigatable negative states the report, which also addresses how the tribe will protect archeological resources. Impacts involving wildland fire, water pollution and construction related soils erosion are also less than significant impacts to the community according to the report, at least after mitigation measures are taken. Traffic impacts are another major concern of Amador County citizens regarding the proposed casino facility, and according to the report, phasing in the casino in several stages will allow for the impacts to be addressed as the casino grows in size.

The tribe looks at all intersections and roadways within Amador County that may be impacted by the new casino. After evaluating intersections and recommended mitigations, the tribe then calculates their “fairshare” of improvements. For example, on Hwy 88 from Liberty Road to Jackson Valley Rd the tribe cites that there will be significant impacts to the roadway from their casino project. The report suggests that the roadway be widened into a four lane divided arterial standard at a cost of approximately 14 million dollars. Because much of the impacts on this roadway segment are a direct result of the casino the tribe states its “fairshare” would be 61.67 percent or approximately 9.5 million dollars.

On another part of Hwy 88- from Buena Vista Rd to Hwy 49 in Jackson, the tribe estimates costs to improve this section to the same standards at 30 million dollars- the tribes “fairshare” varies, according to estimates, from 7.5 percent to 8.46 percent, for a total contribution of approximately 2.5 million dollars. As far as impacts on law enforcement, fire and emergency services, schools, the court system, and health and human services go, the tribe cites the same cost estimates that were in the draft report. With the confidential negotiations ongoing there are still more unanswered questions, than those that are answered, for the community. Questions like will any of the governor’s negotiated 15 percent share of casino revenues, that go directly to the state, be given back to the county to help with mitigations? Things like additional CHP units to patrol the roadways around the casino- roadways which are part of their jurisdiction.

And also the road improvement and construction costs that are above what the tribe considers their “fairshare”. Clearly the county does not have the money- so what will the state do with the money they reap from the local venture should the casino come to fruition. The report notates that the amount of any mitigation for these services will be negotiated with the county or reached through binding arbitration, as specified by the Governor’s compact with the tribe. The extension, announced late on Friday, for the negotiations process will now have a new deadline of August 10th- with the Board of Supervisors agreeing to officially consider any draft agreement by their August 28th meeting. The report is lengthy and available for your review on the Amador county website at www.co.amador.ca.us