The most controversial casino project in California right now is one step closer to becoming a reality. Proposed by the Jamul Indian Tribe, the project essentially surmounts to a casino resort and hotel of Vegas proportions. Estimated at $250 million, and being built in two phases, the casino has been the source of several objections from local California residents, environmentalists and Governor Schwarzenegger himself. Answering these objections, the Jamul Indians just released an environmental report regarding the the effects of implementing their proposal as required by State law.

In all, the report closely analyzes direct and indirect off-reservation effects the casino resort would have on sixteen different environmental issues, including water quality and vehicular traffic. The reports concludes that the project would produce minimal effects, and of those that do indeed take place, will be satisfactorily diminished according to environmental regulations. The report also went into details about the project itself, citing it will house over 2,000 slot machines and have levels designated for casino tables.

Nearby neighbors of the planned six-floor casino and twelve story, 400-room hotel resort, beg to differ, although they have not provided tangible evidence and research showing contrary to what the most recent environmental report shows. When the idea first came about, and the Jamul Tribe made it know they would be pursuing the project in the mid-nineties, objections were practically instant, resulting in a long-standing battle that will likely last even as the casino opens its doors to the public (which will likely be the case).

Traffic seems to be one of the greatest concerns for not only nearby residents, but for the developers of the casino itself. The report took this into consideration and stated that it would provide the necessary funding to the California Department of Transportation to improve the only main road, Route 94, leading to the Jamul reservation and proposed cite of the casino. Since there will be an estimated 7,714 more daily trips on Route 94 as a result of the casino, it will be paramount to widen the two-lane highway, add turning lanes and implement traffic signals, which the Jamul Tribe says they are willing to do.