Riverside Board of Supervisors Find Fault with Soboba EIR – Pass Resolution

A couple days ago the Riverside County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution criticizing an environmental study by the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians on the impact of a proposed casino-hotel complex. In a 4-0 vote the BOS stated that the study failed to address “a large range of deficiencies,” beginning with traffic mitigation measures associated with the project.

The resolution specifically expressed concern that police and fire department personnel could find it difficult to service the communities in and around the complex. The BOS also found issues with wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal which they believe could create a potential public health hazard.

The chairman of the Riverside BOS, Jeff Stone said, “I strongly respect the sovereignty of all tribes in Riverside County, but this environmental study is extremely flawed.”

The tribe recently completed the draft of the EIR for review by the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs and responded to the resolution by stating that the EIR was adequate and should meet any and all public concerns.

The tribe is proposing to relocate its current casino to property along Soboba Road where it wants to build a five-story, 300-room hotel, along with a convention center, special events arena, restaurants, retail shops and a fitness center.

A group called Save Our Communities, comprised of residents living within the 535-acre proposed site, have asked for state intervention. The residents complain that their neighborhoods would become “islands,” cut off from emergency services and other municipal support.