draft-eisA Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared to analyze the potential environmental consequences of the Redding Rancheria’s (Tribe) application for a proposed 232-acre fee-to-trust transfer and gaming facility project in unincorporated Shasta County, California approximately 1.6 miles northeast of the existing Redding Rancheria, and about 2 miles southeast of downtown Redding. The proposed fee-to-trust property includes 7 parcels, bound by Bechelli Lane on the north, private properties to the south, the Sacramento River on the west, and Interstate 5 on the east. The Shasta County Assessor’s parcel numbers (APNs) for the property are 055-010-011, 055-010-012, 055-010-014, 055-010-015, 055-050-001, 055-020-004, and 055-020-005.

The proposed gaming facility would include a casino, an approximately 250-room hotel, an event/convention center, and associated parking and infrastructure. The new facility would replace the Tribe’s existing casino, and the existing casino buildings would be converted to a different use.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), as an agency under the authority of the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, is the federal agency that is charged with reviewing and approving tribal applications to take land into federal trust status and is Lead Agency for the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Tribe, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), City of Redding (City), and Shasta County are serving as Cooperating Agencies.

Public Comment Period for the Draft EIS
The BIA issued a Notice of Availability for the Draft EIS in the Federal Register on April 10, 2019, and the EPA subsequently published a Notice of Availability in Federal Register on April 19, 2019, which provided a 45-day comment period ending on June 3, 2019. This comment period was extended two weeks to June 17, 2019.

Printed copies of the Draft EIS were available for review during regular business hours (8:00AM – 4:30PM) at the BIA Pacific Regional Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, California, and the Redding Public Library, 1100 Parkview Avenue in Redding, California.  A public hearing was held at the Redding Memorial Veterans Hall, 1605 Yuba Street, Redding, CA, 96001, on May 20, 2019.

Suspension of Preparation of Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Redding Rancheria Fee-to-Trust and Casino Project, Shasta County, California:
The BIA issued a Notice of Suspension in the Federal Register on May 14, 2020, suspending preparation of the EIS for the Tribe’s project. Further details are provided in the notice, which can be viewed here.

Resumption of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Redding Rancheria Fee-to-Trust and Casino Project, Shasta County, California:
The BIA issued a Notice of Resumption in the Federal Register on September 23, 2021, resuming the preparation of the EIS for the project.  Further details are provided in the notice, which can be viewed here.

For Additional Information:
Mr. Chad Broussard, Environmental Protection Specialist, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pacific Regional Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Room W–2820, Sacramento, California 95825; telephone: (916) 978–6165; email: chad.broussard@bia.gov. Information is also available online at www.reddingeis.com