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Jamulians Against the Casino |
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JAC update
Jamul Indian Village representatives attended thr Jamul/Dulzura Planning Group meeting February 14th. Steve Davis, a project manager with Summit Project Management (recent local project: Sycuan expansion) and Dave Nielsen, senior advisor at MJE Marketing Services (do not have any tribes listed as a client), have been hired by the tribe to spear head their plans for a casino. Robert Mesa attended representing the tribe. They spoke in generalities, stating they wanted to be open and "transparent". The planning group were told the tribe is preparing and EE (Environmental Evalluation), which Mr. Davis claimed to be more thorough than previous Environmental Impact Studies, combining both CEQA and the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) requirements.
The planning group was told the report should be complete in March 2012 and distribution of the report will take place at that time. There will be a 45 day public review and input period. The planning group was also told the tribe plans on holding a public meeting to answer questions and take public input. Then public and government agencies responses will be reviewed and assessed by the tribe and their project management representatives. The tribe will then decide what casino they will want to build and the mitigation requirements to be developed after the selection is made.
Mr. Davis reported that Caltrans is doing their own CEQA report on traffic issues.
Immediate questions from the Planning Group:
1. If the tribe does not currently know the scope of their project, how can Caltrans do an accurate trafffic study?
2. Why such a short public review period given the Planning Group only meets twice a month?
3. What exactly is an EE, Environmental Evaluation? This term has never been used before.
Mr. Mesa extended an invitation to a few Planning Group members to visit their new tribal hall. He stated "no expense has been spared". It should be noted that the tribe received $3.8 million dollars in Federal Stimulus monies for retail purposes.
Prior to going to the Planning Group, the tribe met with representatives of the San Diego Rural Fire Protection District. After a brief overview of the tribe's plans to develop a casino, the fire district was asked to enter into a mutual aid agreement. The tribe said they are planning their own fire department. Rural Fire said they would not enter into any agreement with any entity without knowing the scope of the project. The tribal representatives told the District:
- The project is to be built on 6.2 acres. The casino will be between 30,000 square feet and 200,000 square feet. The building will be 3-4 stories. There will be four restaurants. They will be serving liquor.
- A parking structure will be erected.
- There will be a water reclamation system, including sludge ponds.
Rural Fire expressed serious concerns over impacts for public safety, especially on the road during an emergency.
Rumors had surfaced the past year that the tribe was getting ready to attempt another casino. They had hired and fired several different project participants including consultants, surveyors and planners in the last year. Now these rumors have been confirmed.
IMPORTANT:
WATCH FOR A COMMUNITY MEETING TO UNIFY JAMUL AGAINST A CASINO.
DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED.
WATCH FOR THE DATE FOR THE TRIBE'S PUBLIC HEARING TO TAKE PUBLIC INPUT ON THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION IN EARLY APRIL. |
