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.
