The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has extended the comment period for the proposed Cowlitz casino Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) until August 11, 2008. The initial comment period was to have ended June 30, 2008---then the agency announced a thirty day extension after receiving a request to do so from Hon. Brian Baird (D-WA. 3rd).
 
This week BIA published the August 11 closing date in the Federal Register, providing several additional days for stakeholders to make their thoughts known about the FEIS.
 
CARS and many other stakeholders have registered our disappointment in the FEIS (it fails almost across the board to address very real problems) and have asked the BIA to withdraw the document in favor of a supplemental EIS---the formal replacement for an EIS the agency finds does not measure up to its criteria.)
 
In that regard we would ask again that you do one of two things:
1)     Now that the extra time is available, submit a comment on the Final EIS, available at http://www.cowlitzeis.com.
2)     Join us in requesting that the Department of the Interior (DOI) withdraw the FEIS, start over, and produce a Supplemental Draft EIS.
 
This is likely the last time within the NEPA process that we will have an opportunity to tell DOI what we think about the EIS, the process and the casino. Please take advantage of it with us.
 
 
Comments should include the caption "FEIS Comments, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Trust Acquisition and Casino Project" and be addressed to:

 

Stanley Speaks, Northwest Regional Director

Bureau of Indian Affairs

911 NE 11th Ave.

Portland, OR 97232

 

We encourage you to send copies to

Mr. James Cason, Associate Deputy Secretary (James_Cason@ios.doi.gov), and Mr. George Skibine, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs (George_Skibine@ios.doi.gov). Both can be reached via U.S. mail at:

 

Department of the Interior

1849 C Street NW

Washington, DC 20240