Environmental issues, increased demand on law enforcement and tarnishing the Capay Valley's scenic character were only a few of the concerns raised by the county in response to Yocha Dehe's proposed "resort and event center project" at Cache Creek Casino.

The tribe's expansion would measure 414,110 square feet, and would include a 52,440-square-foot event and conference center, additional gambling and dining space and 129,840 square feet of additional facility and warehousing space.

Per the California state gambling compact, Yocha Dehe is required to prepare a Tribal Environmental Impact Report examining the potentially significant off-reservation impacts that might stem from the project before beginning any construction.

During their Tuesday meeting, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors approved a letter, attributed to Chairwoman Helen Thomson, outlining several additions or revisions that must be made to the tribe's Final EIR.

Several of the areas of concern for the board centered around the environmental effects that could result from the proposed construction, specifically issues pertaining to water resources and air quality.

Within their letter, the board requested that the tribe include additional information on the how the area's groundwater will be affected, as well as adopt the air pollutant thresholds of the Yolo/Solano Air Quality Management District as opposed to the federal thresholds currently cited in the report.

"Because the Draft TEIR is being prepared in accordance with the 2204 Tribal-State Gaming Compact between the Tribe and the State of California, the project would generate emissions on off-reservation lands that are within the jurisdiction of the Yolo Solano Air Quality Management District," Thomson wrote. "Therefore, the use of federal thresholds may not be appropriate in assessing the project's off-reservation air quality impact."

Additionally, the board commented that the proposed expansion would likely have an impact on the area's emergency, law enforcement and criminal justice services, most of which were not discussed within the Draft TEIR.

"The Draft TEIR concludes that because there would not be the need for any new law enforcement facilities, the proposed project would not significantly impact law enforcement services and facilities," Thomson wrote, noting that traffic accidents and crime in the area currently garners a response from both the Yolo County Sheriff's Department and the California Highway Patrol. "However, the Final TEIR needs to address the direct human effects associated with a reduction in response times and law enforcement services within the Capay Valley following project implementation."

The board also noted that the structures resulting from the planned expansion would be in drastic contrast with the scenic hills of the Capay Valley, and that "visual mitigation measures should be discussed to minimize this impact in the Final TEIR."

One aspect that was not discussed within the board's letter was the increased traffic generated by the tribe's expansion, something that has been a major concern for residents of the Capay Valley.

During Tuesday's board meeting, Chris Lee, Yolo's county-tribe coordinator, said Yocha Dehe had provided the county with additional traffic impact data, and that staff was currently reviewing the information. As a result of the additional information, the Tribe extended the county's comment deadline from Aug. 6 to Aug 18 to allow for adequate analysis.