Amador County - Friends of Amador County (FOAC), a community group opposed to the proposed Buena Vista Casino near Ione, has filed an appeal to a recent decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authorizing the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians to discharge treated wastewater into an unnamed tributary of Jackson Creek. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit is just one of many steps necessary in the tribe’s pursuit of a new $150 million casino. In a letter to the EPA, FOAC Chairman Jerry Cassesi lists in detail four reasons why his group feels the permit should be revoked. Cassesi references the permit document, saying the “permit assumes that the ‘location where discharge enters receiving water’ is understood,” but “this location is…anything but clear.” He goes on to say that further permission would be required from surrounding “landowners” and the exact location of the “receiving waters” are not clarified. In his second point for review, he says “there is no finding, no clarity, and no guidance” in what is referred to in the permit document language as “the discharge point to receiving water” and requests that the area of “several miles” be described specifically. Referencing a section referring to “reclaimed water limitations,” Cassesi says “you do not have to be a hydrologist to understand that some surface water goes into the ground, particularly in deep porous topsoil as in the Jackson Valley where the Buena Vista Rancheria Casino is proposed.” He says this is “a deep-seated concern” to local residents because over the years “there have been several occurrences in the surrounding Ione area of generational sterility and birth defects” and “four instances of canine deaths due to cancer” in close proximity to the proposed wastewater discharge point. Finally, he requests “a review of the annual flooding of roads leading to the proposed casino which will be greatly exacerbated by wastewater discharge of the magnitude allowed by this permit.” Cassesi writes that “all four of FOAC’s requests for review involve failure to make essential findings of fact.” He said “this results in erroneous presumptions that pose a significant threat to the health and safety of the people of the Jackson Valley, now and in the future.” The construction of the casino remains a contentious issue in Amador County. The Amador County Board of Supervisors has consistently opposed any Indian gaming expansion and specifically opposes the establishment of the Buena Vista Casino near Ione. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.-
font size
decrease font size
increase font size
Amador County - Friends of Amador County (FOAC), a community group opposed to the proposed Buena Vista Casino near Ione, has filed an appeal to a recent decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authorizing the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians to discharge treated wastewater into an unnamed tributary of Jackson Creek. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit is just one of many steps necessary in the tribe’s pursuit of a new $150 million casino. In a letter to the EPA, FOAC Chairman Jerry Cassesi lists in detail four reasons why his group feels the permit should be revoked. Cassesi references the permit document, saying the “permit assumes that the ‘location where discharge enters receiving water’ is understood,” but “this location is…anything but clear.” He goes on to say that further permission would be required from surrounding “landowners” and the exact location of the “receiving waters” are not clarified. In his second point for review, he says “there is no finding, no clarity, and no guidance” in what is referred to in the permit document language as “the discharge point to receiving water” and requests that the area of “several miles” be described specifically. Referencing a section referring to “reclaimed water limitations,” Cassesi says “you do not have to be a hydrologist to understand that some surface water goes into the ground, particularly in deep porous topsoil as in the Jackson Valley where the Buena Vista Rancheria Casino is proposed.” He says this is “a deep-seated concern” to local residents because over the years “there have been several occurrences in the surrounding Ione area of generational sterility and birth defects” and “four instances of canine deaths due to cancer” in close proximity to the proposed wastewater discharge point. Finally, he requests “a review of the annual flooding of roads leading to the proposed casino which will be greatly exacerbated by wastewater discharge of the magnitude allowed by this permit.” Cassesi writes that “all four of FOAC’s requests for review involve failure to make essential findings of fact.” He said “this results in erroneous presumptions that pose a significant threat to the health and safety of the people of the Jackson Valley, now and in the future.” The construction of the casino remains a contentious issue in Amador County. The Amador County Board of Supervisors has consistently opposed any Indian gaming expansion and specifically opposes the establishment of the Buena Vista Casino near Ione. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
Latest from Tom
- Richard Forster previews this week's Amador County Board of Supervisors meeting with host, Tom Slivick. (2 of 2)
- Richard Forster on TSPN TV News December 7, 2015 (1 of 2)
- Ebbetts Pass (State Route 4) Closed for Winter
- State HWY 89 Closed for the Winter
- Richard Forster on TSPN TV News November 23, 2015 (2 of 2)
