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Jamul impact report approved

JAMUL, California – (PRESS RELEASE) -- The Jamul Indian Village, a federally recognized Tribe, announced it has approved a comprehensive Tribal Environmental Impact Statement/Report related to its planned casino-resort to be built entirely on its six-acre reservation. After many years of Environmental Assessments, and Environmental Impact Statements, approval of the report moves the Tribe a step closer to starting construction of its gaming and resort facility.

In a typical strong showing of unity and support, the Tribe's General Council, consisting of all voting members over the age of 18, voted unanimously to accept the findings of what is the third environmental report related to the project, an amount of study likely unprecedented by any other economic development in Indian Country.

The report not only was conducted in full compliance with the Tribe's Environmental Policy Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2004-01), which was enacted in compliance with National Environmental Protection Act guidelines and the Tribal-State Compact between the Jamul Indian Village and the State of California, but also the environmental provisions of recent compact amendments between other tribes and the State of California.

"This project has been looked at from every conceivable angle when considering potential environmental, public services and infrastructure impacts," stated Tribal Chairman Leon Acebedo. "When you combine the amount of work done for the three studies, you have perhaps the most comprehensive assessment of any project -- tribal or non-tribal -- you'll find anywhere in the United States."

The TEIS/R covers the tribe's proposed casino-hotel project, which will be built in two phases. Phase A will consist of a 205,000-square-foot casino, parking garage, fire station, tribal center, offices, and a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant. This phase will also include about 24,500 square feet of roadway improvements, to bring the total project size to 1.2 million total square feet. Phase B will include the addition of a 270,000-square-foot, 12-story, 400-bed hotel on the western portion of the complex.

The project will generate more than 900 jobs during the construction phase then more than 1,900 jobs after the first phase is completed and the doors open for business.

The TEIS/R examines and provides mitigation measures for potential impacts from the casino-resort project on roadways and traffic, law enforcement, fire protection, air, water and noise pollution, power and water services, soil erosion, wastewater treatment, flora and fauna, and scores of other important issues.

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