A proposal by the Tule River Tribe to move its Eagle Mountain Casino off reservation to land along Highway 190 has sparked vigorous opposition from a number of Springville residents.
Opponents say it would increase traffic and pollution, dry up neighboring wells, result in sewage flowing into Lake Success, and diminish the quality of rural life.
Those in favor argue that a new, large-scale casino would mean more jobs, a better business climate and increased safety for motorists.
Ray Hicks, Eagle Mountain's emergency medical technician supervisor, said he supports the move because emergency vehicles would have quicker access.
It takes 40 minutes for an ambulance to drive from Porterville to the casino, Hicks said.
"I deal with accidents on Reservation Road. It's a bad road," Hicks said. "It's sad that that road gives me job security."
Vincent Salinas, legislative chairman of the Tulare-Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said a new casino would provide employment for the Porterville area, another revenue stream for Tulare County and self sufficiency for the tribal members.
The new casino is expected to add 500 new jobs, according to the tribal council.
But Norma Inabinette of Springville argued that casinos typically don't create new jobs. Instead, they take people from other jobs, she said.
"In all of my research, hundreds of hours, there has been little evidence of any lasting benefit to the general population from casinos," she said.
Her husband, Bob Inabinette, said that for every dollar of benefit to a community, casinos cost counties between $1.90 to $7 to pay for jails, social services and court costs.
John Williams, also of Springville, said he was concerned about sewage disposal. Williams said he obtained surveys from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that say soil at the proposed site is poorly suited for urban development.
"Lake Success is less than one-half mile away," Williams said. "When sewage hits the bedrock, it will go downhill to the lake."
Tribal administrator Dave Nenna said the tribe shares concerns about the environment. When they built the existing casino, they constructed a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant to ensure the safety and future of the Tule River, he said.
A similar plant would be installed at the proposed site to prevent sewage leaking into the lake.
Nenna said the relocation is far from a done deal - the tribe is currently conducting soil and water studies at the proposed site across from Lake Success.
"We still have to find out if the land is suitable for building," he said.
Henry Winckel can be reached at 784-5000 ext. 1043 or Henry_Winckel@link.freedom