SPRINGVILLE -- Members of Springville and its surrounding communities gathered Friday to discuss issues relating to the proposed Eagle Mountain Casino site off Highway 190.

Citizens opposing the casino voiced concerns about potential rises in traffic accidents on the highway, crime increases and water issues, while others defended the tribe's intended move.

"I have concerns about the accidents that might happen on the highway," said Kathleen Morgan, a Springville woman and organizer of the meeting. "I have been told that they will serve alcohol in the restaurant, so that means there will be drunken drivers."

However, the tribe has no definite plans to serve alcohol at the casino at this point, said Sam Cohan, general counsel for the Tule River Tribal Council.

Morgan presented a bar graph during the meeting showing how traffic accidents have increased on the reservation road since the casino opened in 1996. In 1995, the graph showed five traffic accidents, which increased to 14 the next year. In 2000, when the casino expanded, Morgan said there were 39 accidents.

"What kind of accidents though," asked Rick Davis, a Springville man who spoke in support of the casino. "Were they fatal, or were they fender benders? That's critical information. There's a difference."

Morgan also said she was concerned about crime rates rising in the city.

"When you have all these casinos grouped together on the highway, with it comes sewage issues, higher crime and prostitution," said Chuck Aldine, a Springville man who spoke during the meeting. "The more gambling there is the more crimes that come with it, and I don't want to see Porterville and Springville become known for crime."

Some in attendance at the meeting wanted to know where the casino would draw its water from once it was built.

"There's already a water shortage. They want to build a 24-hour casino and a destination resort, but where is the water going to come from," asked Nicki Edwards, a Porterville woman who attended the meeting. "Are they going to take it from the farmers?"

Water is not an issue, said Davis.

"We have one of the largest aquifers under Lake Success, so water is not an issue," Davis said.

Cohan said the council has two existing wells it will draw from, and it has identified seven additional sites of possible future wells.

For the tribe to build the casino on the highway, it will have to appeal to the governor and then the federal Department of Indian Affairs, Aldine said.

"If we get enough people together and we make enough noise to Davis and our representatives, we can take care of this," Aldine said.

At the same time, Cohan urged those at the meeting who supported growth in the area to write Davis expressing those feelings.

Kay Robbiano, a Springville woman who has also spent time living on the reservation, said she thinks there is a way for the two groups to find a middle ground.

"They're using the tools that have been given to them by the dominant culture so they can survive," said Robbiano, who is split on the issue. "But I think there is a place that everyone can come together and find a compromise, it just may take a shift in some of our thinking."

That's what the tribal council is looking for, said Dave Nenna, the tribal administrator.

"The only reason we are here tonight is to hear the concerns people have, and we have been trying to do that all along -- trying to get input," he said. "We understand we aren't going to please 100 percent of the people here, but if people have concerns we want to try and mitigate them, within reason."

The tribal council will present citizens with more information about the project and ask for feedback during a Jan. 15 Springville Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Emilie Hornak can be reached at 784-5000 Ext. 1050 or by e-mail at Emilie_Hornak@link.freedom.com