HomeMissionLatest NewsCasino traffic is unrelenting and soon finds its way through neighborhoodsHow to Get InvolvedLinksContact UsNew Page Title

IMG_3127.jpg

This is a vacated, closed up boarded up KMart similar in size our Home Depot.  It is located in similar proximity to the casino as would be our Home Depot.  Car thefts increased exponentially in the area since the casino opening.  The only sign of life is the abandoned sofa nestled amongnst the palm trees. (Picture taken July 2006)

Some have pondered why Kierland Commons type developers, with Williams Sonoma and Restoration Hardware stores, are avoiding our west side.  Perhaps their customers like the idea of finding their cars parked where they left them when returning from their shopping experience.


September 7,2010 Caltrans is going to town linking Golf Course Drive and Wilfred with a 4-6 lane 101 underpass.  If you reside near 101 at Golf Course Drive and want an inkling of what to expect after completion of the underpass, visit College Ave. at 101 on the East side and E. Washinton Ave. at 101 on the west side.  Remember that neither an eir or an eis were done re the Wilfred Interchange, meaning that all who live near the interchange, including the apartments built 420 feet from 101 (in 2002), were denied a public hearing.  This despite letters written and law suits filed.    
August 2010  RPCEC's federal appeal and a rehearing were denied by the three judge panel appeals court.  Their reasons:  (1)-lack of information at the time of the fonsi and (2)-information contained in the neg dec/fonsi (Nov. 2006) that was a 'response' to comments.  (1)In the case of info available, in Feb. 2006 a 2" thick EIS supplemental scoping report of the Graton Rancheria Casino and Hotel Project was available and was referred to in legal docs on the case.  It contained mountains of info on the 762,000 sq.ft. casino/hotel including sq. footage and diagrams of the 6,000 parking spaces.  (2)In the case of the response to comments information, the Initial Study/Environmental Assessment (July 2004) would have had to be recirculated with this 'new never before reported' information.  In other words the decision by the judges was not according to the law and was in fact counter to environmental law.  In their decision it appears they are suggesting that the only remedy for those with 'standing' and harmed by this project is to sue when the damage occurs (what a way to protect the environment!). 
September 3, 2009 appeal in federal court continues...... 
On April 20, 2009 RPCEC filed an appeal in federal court against the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHA).  "We believe the trial court did not properly rule on our claim under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA)," said Rose Zoia, attorney for RPCEC.  "The envirnomental review of the interchange project did not evaluate the cumulative impacts of the interchange project combined with the impacts, mostly traffic and air quality, of the proposed casino resort hotel less than a mile away on Wilfred Avenue.  This is what NEPA requires but it was not done in this case".
July 31, 2008 In viewing the Sonoma County Transit Authority minutes, agreements going out for the Wilfred Avenue Interchange indicate that an EIR (state) and EIS (federal) were done.  This is not true.  According to the standard used, with regard to traffic caused by casino/resorts, an estimated 28,000 extra vehicle trips per day would impact 101 and related routes re the proposed Wilfred Site casino.  This is based on the 2,000 slots proposed.  The estimate would increase if the governor decides to allocate more slots as he has a propensity to do. This  all would have a huge impact on Golf Course Drive neighborhoods and Wilfred Avenue if the punch-through is done and the casino is built.  
 
Widening YES punch-through NO

In PD October 2, 07 Rey Centeno, project manager for caltrans district 4, forgot to mention the lawsuit that could delay or alter the Wilfred Avenue
Interchange Project. Environmental studies are mandated by law to include the proposed Wilfred Site casino/resort project and it's incremental, forseeable environmental impacts since the Wilfred Interchange punch-through would facilitate traffic to/from the casino/resort. 

On Tuesday September 6, 07 a lawsuit was filed in federal court against Caltrans and other related agencies for their failure to conduct a full Environmentat Impact Review and report on the 101 Wilfred Avenue (punch-through) Interchange Project.  Residents have reminded Caltrans to comply with this mandate since 2004.  Residents have reminded Caltrans that they must include the 762,000 square foot Casino/Resort, and its impact, proposed 2 blocks from the 101 Wilfred Project.


______________________________________________________________________
Front page news in the Press Democrat on March 2, 07 confirmed the intent of casino principals to build a 762,300 square ft. casino/resort on Wilfred Avenue.  From time to time we will give you a peak of the deterioration that occurs in communities, much like ours, after the blow of having a casino erected on their border.  The unfortunate down and out traveling to urban casinos wander the streets and sleep in the yards of residents.  A culture is created that include those who prey on the down and out.


This page will keep you up to date on what's going on with our mission.

Campaign Headquarters * Any Street * Anytown * US * 01234