California tribal casino proposal passes significant realization hurdle

The United States Bureau of Indian Affairs has reportedly completed the required draft environmental impact statement concerning the $600 million plan from the Tejon Indian Tribe to bring a new casino resort to central California.

According to a Thursday report from The Bakersfield Californian newspaper, the federally-recognized tribe has been working to realize its casino dream for over a decade and inked an operating partnership for the proposed facility with Hard Rock International some twelve months ago.

Protective permission:

The newspaper reported that the Tejon Indian Tribe received federal recognition in 2012 and subsequently asked the government to place a 306-acre plot of Kern County land into trust so that it could serve as the home for its envisioned casino resort. The plan purportedly calls for the site located approximately 25 miles south of the city of Bakersfield to host a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino-branded facility featuring a 400-room hotel alongside a conference center, live entertainments venue, multiple restaurants and a large casino.

Significant stage:

The Bakersfield Californian reported that the draft environmental impact statement is just one of many steps that must be completed before the California tribe is granted the rights to begin work on its planned casino report. The federal government purportedly initiated the investigative process in 2015 and has since been looking into whether the envisioned development would harm the local ecosystem or significantly impact area water resources.

Positive pronouncement:

This initial investigation has reportedly found no such severe dangers and is now due to have its findings presented to United States Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt for a final determination. The Bakersfield Californian reported that the general public has until July 27 to comment on the draft environmental impact statement while its conclusions must also be approved by California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Area advocacy:

The newspaper reported that the Tejon Indian Tribe’s casino plan has already received a large amount of local support while the Kern County Board of Supervisors recently agreed a deal to provide the proposed facility with public safety services for the next 20 years in exchange for a payment of $218 million. The tribe purportedly detailed that the completed venue will dramatically transform the agricultural area and furthermore create around 2,000 full-time jobs.