The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze the potential environmental consequences of the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians (Scotts Valley or Tribe) Casino and Tribal Housing Project, which includes the acquisition by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) of a 160-acre property into federal trust status for the benefit of the Tribe for gaming purposes (Proposed Action). Following the acquisition of the Project Site into federal trust, the Tribe proposes to develop a casino facility, Tribal housing, a Tribal administration building, and associated parking and infrastructure on the Project Site (Proposed Project). The federal actions necessary to implement the Proposed Project trigger the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). For the purpose of this EA, the BIA will serve as the Lead Agency for compliance with NEPA.
A Notice of Availability for the EA was published on July 8, 2024 and initiated a 30-day public review period. Subsequently, the BIA granted a 15-day extension of the original comment period, providing a total of 45 days to submit comments on the EA, which concluded on August 22, 2024. A virtual public hearing was held on July 23, 2024.