Southern California Casino Waiting for BIA Decision

Barstow, a Southern California city along Interstate 15 on the road to Las Vegas, is hoping for a favorable ruling by the Bureau of Indian Affairs on an application by a San Diego tribe, the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeño Indians to put land into trust near the city. The application is for an off-reservation casino since the tribe is based more than 100 miles from Barstow.

The Southern California city of Barstow is waiting for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to rule on an application for an off-reservation casino by the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeño Indians, a tribe more than 100 miles from this desert community.

Last week, when asked about the casino, Barstow City Manager Curt Mitchell said, “Right now the casino is in the hands of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The tribe has applied to put 23 acres into trust. If the BIA approves the application it would still require the approval of Governor Jerry Brown.

The tribe has published its final environmental impact statement for the project, which has the full support of the city government.