Tribal Authorities Agree to Lincoln Sewer Linkage

By Mike Fitch - Lincoln News Messenger

The United Auburn Indian Community has approved an agreement with the City of Lincoln that calls for the city to provide sewer service for the 200,000 square-foot gaming casino and entertainment center the  tribe wants to build south of the city.

In return for getting sewer service, the tribe will contribute money to a host of public projects.  The contributions include $1 million to the proposed Highway 65 Bypass, a project that will realign  the highway so it goes around Lincoln rather than through the heart of town.

The proposed contributions are detailed in a memorandum of understanding approved by the Tribal Council Thursday.

“It has always been our goal to cooperate with neighboring local government, community groups and citizens to ensure that any potential impacts from the project are mitigated,” explained Jessica Tavares,  the tribe’s chairwoman.  “The MOU with Lincoln is another step toward fulfilling this objective.”

The tribe wants to build its casino and entertainment center at Athens and Industrial avenues in an industrial area south of Lincoln.  Observers expect the tribe to break ground on the project sometime  next year.

The Lincoln City Council balked at providing sewer service to the casino last fall, indicating it wanted to take a firm stand against having casino gambling in the area.

Opponents of the project also fear it will create traffic, crime and other problems in neighboring communities such as Lincoln, Roseville and Rocklin.

Last month, the Lincoln council reversed field, voting 3-2 to approve the proposed pact with the tribe.

Council members found themselves in a predicament similar to the dilemma that faced the Placer County Board of Supervisors a year ago.

City and county officials don’t like the idea of allowing casino gambling to take root in the area.

On the other hand, they know there’s little chance that local officials can halt the casino, because the federal government signaled several years ago that the tribe is entitled to one.

In its memorandum if understanding with the county, the tribe agreed to follow normal county planning rules and pay the county for police and other services provided to the county.  Under federal law,  the county normally wouldn’t be required to do either.

Lincoln officials knew that refusing to provide sewer services wouldn’t block the project.  In the past, the tribe has indicated it could build its own sewer plant if necessary.

In the agreement with Lincoln, the tribe agreed to contribute:

• $1 million to the Highway 65 Bypass;
• More than $1 million in sewage-connection and ongoing sewer fees;
• $1,000 per call for fire or medical services from the city;
• $37,500 per year to cover indirect costs the Lincoln Police Department will incur because of the casino;
• $25,000 the first year, $50,000 the second, $100,000 the third and $125,000 in succeeding years for cultural, social and youth activities;
• $50,000 to the Western Placer Education Foundation’s Outdoor Learning Environment Project for a youth education program on Native American culture.
• $15,000 the first year and $5,000 annually thereafter to the Lincoln Library; and
• $30,000 per year to support economic development activities in the Lincoln area.

Lincoln officials said the memorandum of understanding and an environmental assessment of the project handle concerns about wastewater, traffic and crime.

“These impacts are being addressed,” city Director of Community Development Rodney Campbell wrote.

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