The first phase of the project would be the 1,150 slot machines and 40 gaming tables on 32,900 square feet of gaming floor. Phase Two will have 1,650 slots and 60 table games. Phase Three expands to the full project of 71,525 square feet of gaming floor with 2,000 slots and 80 table games. According to the tribe implementation of each phase will be subject to the terms of an Intergovernmental Service Agreement negotiated between the Tribe and Amador County, or by judgment rendered in arbitration. The Draft TEIR looks at  anticipated off-reservation environmental impacts associated with construction of the proposed gaming project, including air quality, wetlands, waste and groundwater resources, traffic, public services, noise, housing, land use and other environmental considerations. It also proposes various mitigation measures to offset these impacts including funding improvements like a stop light at the intersection of Jackson Valley Road and Hwy 88. Impacts that some area residents say are impossible to offset with mitigations. The tribe has expanded their examination of all impacts to local law enforcement and fire protection according to the draft document and will address security by providing a Tribal security force with, a minimum of 60 officers, that are on the Reservation at all times, as well as, financial contributions by the Tribe to help pay for new County Sheriff deputies and payments to the County criminal justice system.

 The document also states the tribe will employ, at all times, two fully implemented EMTs on site. The tribe is proposing a Tribal policy reducing the availability of alcohol, not serving it on the gaming floor, but instead limiting it to dining areas only. Environmental considerations include a new reduction in water use. The tribe anticipates a use of 145 acre feet of water per year due to proposed use of recycled water. The tribe has also conducted new compilations of traffic counts to determine new traffic volume estimates and when the proposed gaming facility would generate the most traffic. The tribe has rejected Amador County suggestions that the tribe consider a smaller facility by stating that reducing the gaming floor size by 15 to 45 percent would result in fewer vehicle trips to the project site, resulting in reduced traffic impacts however the reduced gaming floor alternative was eliminated from further analysis because it is not considered to be economically feasible. The income generated by the reduced gaming floor would not finance the loan debt for the project and would therefore preclude project development funding. The public comment period for the Draft TEIR extends for 45 days. The Tribe requests that interested persons offer their comments on the off-Reservation environmental issues in the Tribe's Draft TEIR.

Comments will be accepted until the close of business on March 12, 2007. Comments should be addressed to:

Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, P.O. Box 162283, Sacramento, CA.  95816 Copies of the Draft TEIR will also be made available at the Amador County Library branch in Ione at 25 East Main St., Ione, CA 95640. buenavistatribe.com/tribal_gaming.htm For questions, please call (209) 401-3689.