Public invited to comment on environmental assessment for proposed Scotts Valley Casino and Tribal Housing Project development in Vallejo

July 11, 2024

SOLANO COUNTY – The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is now accepting public comments on the environmental impact assessment for the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians proposal for a Casino and Tribal Housing Project located in Vallejo.  

The BIA issued an Environmental Assessment of the Scotts Valley Casino and Tribal Housing Fee-to-Trust Project on July 8 – initiating a 30-day public review period – analyzing the potential impacts that could result from the development of a gaming facility, including an eight-story casino with restaurants, bars, and a ballroom for events.  In addition to a casino, the proposed project would also include the construction of 24 single-family residences, a tribal administration building, parking garage and a 45-acre biological preserve area on a 160-acre property located within and adjacent to the City of Vallejo boundary in Solano County, near the intersection of Interstate 80 and Highway 37. The casino facility would be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

The public is invited to analyze the potential environmental consequences of the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians Casino and Tribal Housing Project, including any potential issues, concerns and alternatives that have not yet been raised during the BIA’s review of the proposal, which includes transferring a 160-acre property into federal trust status for the benefit of the Tribe for gaming purposes.   

After receiving feedback from the public on its environmental assessment, the BIA will decide whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement to further analyze the effects of the proposed development or proceed on the basis of lesser environmental analysis. The federal actions necessary to implement the Proposed Project trigger the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). For this Environmental Assessment, the BIA will serve as the Lead Agency for compliance with NEPA.  

ACCESSING THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REPORT
Visit https://www.ScottsValleyCasinoEA.com and click on “Environmental Assessment” at the top of the page.  The Environmental Assessment, including all appendices, can be downloaded as PDF documents.  An electronic version of the documents that are compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 can be provided upon request to Chad Broussard, Environmental Protection Specialist, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pacific Region, at (916) 978–6165 or by email at [email protected].  

HOW TO SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENTS
Comments on the Environmental Assessment must be mailed or hand-delivered to one of the following contacts by or before August 7, 2024, including: 

By Postal Mail:
Mail Amy Dutschke, Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pacific Regional Office, at 2800 Cottage Way, Room W–2820, Sacramento, CA 95825.  Include your name, return address, and the caption: “EA Comments, Scotts Valley Casino and Tribal Housing Project,” on the first page of written comments. 

By Electronic Mail: 
Email Chad Broussard, Environmental Protection Specialist, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pacific Region, at [email protected]. Use “EA Comments, Scotts Valley Casino and Tribal Housing Project” as the subject of your email. 

VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING
A virtual public hearing will be held on July 23, 2024, starting at 6 p.m., PST, and will run until the last public comment is received.  The public can register to attend the public hearing by clicking this LINK and/or visiting the https://www.ScottsValleyCasinoEA.com website. 

COUNTY INVOLVEMENT
It should be noted that Solano County does not have regulatory jurisdiction or decision-making authority over whether a casino opens on land the federal government has taken into trust for gaming for a tribe.