BIA wants views on Los Coyotes Band off-reservation casino


Site in Barstow, California, where Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians wants to build an off-reservation casino. Photo from Barstow Casino and Resort

The Bureau of Indian Affairs continues to work on the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians off-reservation casino.

The BIA asked local governments to comment on the tribe's land-into-trust application for the gaming site in Barstow, California. Replies are due later this week, The Victorville Daily Press reported.

Additionally, the BIA continues to process the final environmental impact statement for the $160 million Barstow Casino and Resort. The comment period closed June 2 but there's no timeline for a decision.

If the BIA issues a record of decision in favor of the casino, the project would require the consent of the state governor under the two-part determination provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

The land-into-trust application and the EIS are both required for the casino. But officially they are separate agency actions.

Get the Story:
Feds send Barstow casino notices to agencies (The Victorville Daily Press 10/13)

Federal Register Notice:
Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Proposed Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeňo Indians 23-Acre Fee-to-Trust Transfer and Casino-Hotel Project, City of Barstow, San Bernardino County, California (April 18, 2014)

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