Re: Casino vs Foothills

Education Representation Water Resources Land Use

October 03, 2005

The Honorable Judith G. Case, Chairman

Fresno County Board of Supervisors

Room 300, Hall of Records

2281 Tulare Street

Fresno, CA 93721

Re: Casinos vs. Foothills

Dear Supervisor Case,

As a resident of the foothills, I am writing you today to express my deep concern about large Indian Gaming Casinos being proposed and located anywhere within the eastern foothills of Fresno County as well as within the boundaries of the fledgling Sierra Nevada Conservancy.

My experience as an institutional design architect dictates, that based on prudent land use concepts, 1.3 million square foot casino complexes must be located where existing or easily acquired urban infrastructure and major transportation access already exist. Please note that the rural areas upon which many Indian lands exist are located in the foothill areas of the Sierra Nevada. As you are aware, our foothill areas are historically water short, fragile ecosystems that also serve as the highly critical source watershed that provides the San Joaquin Valley with much needed Class 1 quality water. To introduce major impact “Las Vegas” style mega casinos into this water short and transportation poor area, along with the vast increase in population that will inevitably result, would compromise this area beyond belief. Multi-lane freeway/highway access would, by necessity, be constructed and at tax payer expense (not the tribes) creating more air pollution and destroying our existing rural designated scenic highways. Potential major additional ground water usage along with the attendant sanitary issues, in a troubled water area, would be devastating to the existing foothill residents.

We understand that casinos were only supposed to be constructed on “Indian Lands” but we don’t believe that huge multi-function casino complexes were ever envisioned. There must be a mechanism created to allow these major impact facilities to be built off of “Indian Lands” near proper and easily available urban infrastructure. This is critical to the ultimate health and viability of our sensitive foothill and mountain water source watersheds.

While SAFCA supports the ability and opportunity for the Mono Indian/Big Sandy Rancheria to become more self sufficient, we do not believe it should be at the total expense of the rest of the residents of the foothill and mountain areas of eastern Fresno County. There is a reasonable solution.

We ask that you exercise your high position of leadership to help affect a solution to this very real problem. The Governor recently has, in essence, placed the ball in the Supervisors court. The clock is ticking.

Sincerely,

Sierra and Foothill Citizens Alliance

Gary L. Temple, President

Cc: Senator Boxer

Senator Feinstein

Governor Schwarzenegger

State Senator Poochigian

State Assemblyman Villines