Amador County – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Tuesday that a permit has been signed authorizing the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians to discharge treated wastewater into an unnamed tributary of Jackson Creek. Signed on Tuesday, June 22, the final 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 to be located near Ione. It also establishes effluent limitations and monitoring requirements for the discharge. Since the initial public notice on December 21, 2005, the tribe has completed all the necessary legal requirements, including the completion of a final Tribal Environmental Impact Report. No tribal members were available for comment at the time this story was written. In an email notification to all participants in previous public comment periods on the matter, John Tinger of the EPA’s NPDES Permit Branch said the “EPA received comments from approximately 30 parties both in writing and in public testimony.” The EPA has provided written responses to address all comments received. Tinger said the EPA also “conducted a consultation under the National Historic Preservation Act, which concluded on June 1, 2010 with a Memorandum of Agreement among the State Historic Preservation Officer, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, and EPA.” In a letter to Tribal Chairperson Rhonda Pope, NPDES Permits Office Manager David W. Smith said “any person who filed comments on the proposed permit conditions may petition the Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) to review the conditions of the permit” within 33 days of the notice, also issued Tuesday. He said the petitions should “include a statement of the reasons supporting a review, including a demonstration that any issues being raised were previously raised during the public comment period.” 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. The final Permit, Fact Sheet, and Response to Comments document will be posted shortly on the EPA's website. Or, you can email John Tinger at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call him at 415-420-2217. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thursday, 24 June 2010 06:11
EPA Auhtorizes Buena Vista Casino Wastewater Permit
Amador County – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Tuesday that a permit has been signed authorizing the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians to discharge treated wastewater into an unnamed tributary of Jackson Creek. Signed on Tuesday, June 22, the final 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 to be located near Ione. It also establishes effluent limitations and monitoring requirements for the discharge. Since the initial public notice on December 21, 2005, the tribe has completed all the necessary legal requirements, including the completion of a final Tribal Environmental Impact Report. No tribal members were available for comment at the time this story was written. In an email notification to all participants in previous public comment periods on the matter, John Tinger of the EPA’s NPDES Permit Branch said the “EPA received comments from approximately 30 parties both in writing and in public testimony.” The EPA has provided written responses to address all comments received. Tinger said the EPA also “conducted a consultation under the National Historic Preservation Act, which concluded on June 1, 2010 with a Memorandum of Agreement among the State Historic Preservation Officer, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, and EPA.” In a letter to Tribal Chairperson Rhonda Pope, NPDES Permits Office Manager David W. Smith said “any person who filed comments on the proposed permit conditions may petition the Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) to review the conditions of the permit” within 33 days of the notice, also issued Tuesday. He said the petitions should “include a statement of the reasons supporting a review, including a demonstration that any issues being raised were previously raised during the public comment period.” 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. The final Permit, Fact Sheet, and Response to Comments document will be posted shortly on the EPA's website. Or, you can email John Tinger at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call him at 415-420-2217. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Latest from
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