The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has initiated the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the potential environmental consequences of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (Colville Tribes) proposed Fee-to-Trust and Casino Project in the City of Pasco, in Franklin County, Washington. The Proposed Project includes the placement of approximately 160 acres of fee land in trust by the United States upon which the Colville Tribes would construct a casino resort. The facility would include an approximately 184,200-square-foot casino, 200-room hotel, an event center, eateries, and supporting facilities. The proposed trust property is comprised of one parcel (APN 113-130-068) bound by N. Capitol Avenue to the west, commercial and industrial development to the west and south, and agriculture to the north and east. The federal actions necessary to implement the proposed project trigger the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The BIA will serve as the EIS Lead Agency for compliance with NEPA.

Scoping Comment Period: April 3, 2024 – June 3, 2024
A Notice of Intent (NOI) for the EIS was published in the Federal Register April 3, 2024. The NOI describes the Proposed Action and announces the initiation of a formal public scoping process. Subsequently, the Scoping Comment Period was extended for an additional 30 days. Interested parties are invited to submit substantive comments by Monday, June 3, 2024. Substantive comments are those that identify potential environmental issues, concerns, reasonable mitigation measures, and alternatives to be considered in the EIS. Non-substantive comments are those that offer an opinion; express favor or opposition to the action; and/or do not pertain to the Proposed Action, Proposed Project, or scope of the EIS.

You may email, mail or hand-deliver written comments by Monday, June 3, 2024 to the addresses below:

Email:
Tobiah Mogavero, NEPA Coordinator
Bureau of Indian Affairs
tobiah.mogavero@bia.gov

Mail or hand deliver:
Bryan Mercier, Regional Director
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Northwest Region
911 NE 11th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97232

Please include your name, return address, and “NOI Comments, Colville Tribes Fee-to-Trust and Casino Project” on the first page of your written comments or in the subject line of emailed comments.

Scoping Hearing: Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 6:00pm
A public scoping meeting was held virtually on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. A recording of the public hearing is available here.