STC101 RAMPS UP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE!  In March 2004, a study of the proposed Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria (FIGR) casino site in Rohnert Park began.  The study was conducted by the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC)  as required under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA).  This mandatory NEPA study was required because a federal agency (the NIGC) was planning an action (approval of the management contract between the FIGR and Station Casinos) that would result in a construction project (the casino).  The NEPA study was not conducted "voluntarily" by the FIGR, as FIGR Chairman Greg Sarris publicly stated. 

The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)  was approved on February 13, 2009.  It is fatally flawed in several major issue areas.   In August of that same year, two major and signifcant changes occurred that directly impact the FEIS.  They were the proposed critical habitat for the Sonoma County population group of the endangered California Tiger Salamander (CTS) by US Fish & Wildlife (USFW), which includes the proposed casino site, and new regulations from LAFCO restricting the ability of cities to extend services outside their city limits.

The Sonoma County population group of the California Tiger Salamander is gentically unique, and found nowhere else in the world.  USFW has already determined that the casino's construction activities would kill all the salamanders on the site - and the site is known to be home to these rare, shy creatures.  Because they live underground in the dry season, USFW beleives that it's likely no one would ever know how many animals would be killed by the casino construction activities.

74,233 acres of the Santa Rosa PLain have been proposed as critical habitat for the CTS (see map below).  Final approval by USFW of the proposed critical habitat is slated for July 11, 2011. 

Federal agencies, including the NIGC, are not allowed to take actions that adversely affect critical habitat.  NIGC Chairwoman, Tracie Stevens,  must yet issue a Record of Decision that will make the FEIS official and clear the way for both casino construction - and our legal challenge.  The question is, will she dare take such action while the issue of the critical habitat is still pending finalization?  

In the meantime, we urge you to TAKE ACTION by contacting Senator Feinstein and asking her to stop the casino at the Rohnert Park site!