The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has initiated the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the potential environmental consequences of the Nisqually Indian Tribe’s (Nisqually Tribe) application for a proposed fee-to-trust transfer of approximately 74 acres in the City of Lacey, Thurston County, Washington, for gaming purposes (federal proposed action). The proposed project includes the placement of approximately 74 acres of fee land in trust by the United States upon which the Tribe would construct a casino resort. The facility would include a casino with approximately 58,200-square-feet (sf) of gaming floor and 42,000-sf of food and beverage space, 18-story hotel with 350 rooms and amenities, an event center, and supporting facilities. Additionally, the Tribe proposes to develop a 20,000-sf cultural center/museum. The proposed trust property is comprised of two parcels (APN 11810101100 located 11810101102) directly north of Interstate 5 (I-5), west of the Marvin Road NE/ I-5 interchange, south of Britton Parkway NE, and east of commercial development in Sections 10 and 11, Township 18 North, Range 1 West, Willamette Meridian. The federal actions necessary to implement the proposed project trigger the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The BIA will serve as the EIS Lead Agency for compliance with NEPA.
Scoping Comment Period: July 8, 2024 – August 7, 2024
A Notice of Intent (NOI) for the EIS was published in the Federal Register and The Olympian newspaper on July 8, 2024. The NOI announced the initiation of a 30-day public scoping period, which concluded on August 7, 2024. A virtual public scoping hearing was held on August 1, 2024.