On January 7, the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) announced the release of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Siletz Casino Project in Salem, Oregon.
The release of the EA is a significant step forward for the Siletz Casino Project and an important component to obtaining federal approval. The EA assesses the environmental impacts resulting from the development of a gaming facility and hotel by the Siletz Tribe on federal land that has been held in trust for the tribe since 2000.
“We know that the Siletz Casino Project will bring significant investments to the surrounding community and to all federally recognized Tribes in Oregon,” said Tribal Council Chairwoman Dee Pigsley. “We look forward to advancing the discussion with the community about all the ways the project will improve transportation infrastructure, job growth and other important challenges facing the community.”
A public comment period will be open for 30 days, ending on February 7, 2022.
The Siletz Casino Project is an initiative to build Oregon’s first gaming facility that will directly share revenue with eight other tribes as well as state and local governments. The casino will offer 1,200 “living-wage” jobs and provide ample opportunities for local small businesses to thrive. The purpose of the proposed Siletz Casino Project is to facilitate tribal self-sufficiency, self-determination and economic development, thus satisfying the principal goal of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). The tribe expects to generate $185 million in annual revenue in the first year of operation, growing to $231 million by the third year.
