Riverside County supervisors directed county staff Tuesday to be prepared to comment on the draft environmental impact report for the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians' proposed annexation of almost 535 acres to its reservation.

The board also invited the tribe to make a presentation Sept. 1 outlining its possible hotel-casino project.

Soboba Springs area residents urged the county to get involved. Some residents have suggested outright opposition to the project.

"I have some very strong concerns," said 3rd District County Supervisor Jeff Stone, whose district includes the area.

Stone said the county needs to ask that the tribe address issues such as traffic, especially how a casino project would affect nearby neighborhoods like Soboba Springs.

The tribe wants to annex land it owns along Soboba Road near Lake Park Drive into federal "fee to trust" status. In trust, the land is held by the U.S. government on behalf of the tribe, which would control its use. The tribe proposes moving its casino to a site near the Country Club at Soboba Springs golf course.

Annexing the land would almost surround several residential communities including Soboba Springs Mobile Estates, a housing development adjacent to the tribe's Country Club at Soboba Springs Golf Course and an area of hillside homes east of the golf course.

"The tribe is required to adhere to a very strict and transparent process as mandated by the federal government. The tribe urges all interested parties to participate in the process," by attending an Aug. 5 meeting at the Hemet Public Library or by submitting written comments to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Mike Hiles, Soboba tribal information officer said in a written statement.

As far as the invitation to address the board, Hiles said he was unable to comment on an invitation not yet received.

Reach Gail Wesson at 951-763-3455 or gwesson@PE.com