 2008 Press Releases
PAUMA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS AND THE TIERRA MIGUEL FOUNDATION PARTNER TO SAVE THE TIERRA MIGUEL ORGANIC FARM
(Download PDF of this Press Release)
Tribe to lease back property to Foundation
Agreement will enable Farm to continue to provide highest quality organic products to Southern California
PAUMA INDIAN RESERVATION, Pauma Valley, California, August 15, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- Pauma Band of Mission Indians announced today the purchase of the Tierra Miguel property, a certified organic farm comprised of 84.91 acres located in the Pauma Valley, California. The Tribe purchased the property to continue to provide for the long term conservation of the land, permanently preserving the farm for agricultural use.
The Pauma Band of Mission Indians worked closely with the California State Department of Conservation to ensure that the terms and conditions of the agricultural conservation easement were honored. The purchased price of the property was $1,400,000. Under the terms of the sale, Pauma Band of Mission Indians will provide the Tierra Miguel Foundation (TMF) with a long-term lease. ?Saving this acreage for agriculture in perpetuity is a great accomplishment for California,? TMF president Beth Ann Levendoski said. In conjunction with the Pauma Band of Mission Indians, TMF will continue its farming and education operations on the property, bringing children, farmers, schools and educators to experience the beauty and bounty of Pauma Valley.
?The Pauma Band of Mission Indians has a long history and tradition of practicing environmental stewardship? said Chris Devers, Chairman Pauma Band of Mission Indians. ?The tribal government and membership support the preservation of organic farming practices and believe that agricultural education will empower future generations. Together the Pauma Band of Mission Indians and Tierra Miguel Foundation can significantly impact the health and well-being of the local community as well as modeling new possibilities for others throughout California,? added Chairman Devers.
As part of the sale agreement the Pauma Band of Mission Indians generously donated $350,000 to the farm and provided an educational/working grant to TMF in the sum of $300,000 over ten years. The purpose of the donation and grant is to support the work of the farm and the expansion of TMF?s "Farm to School" program, aimed at educating elementary and middle school students throughout San Diego County about organic farming practices. The program will encourage healthy and sustainable agricultural processes that benefit the individual, society and the environment. ?We are grateful to the Pauma Band and its people and look forward to a long and thriving partnership with them,? said Beth Ann Levendoski, President/CEO, Tierra Miguel Foundation. ?The acquisition of the farm will ensure that our mission to produce nutritious organic food, and practice conservation-specific agricultural practices will be preserved and strengthened.? About the Pauma Band of Mission Indians Pauma Band of Mission Indians is a federally recognized tribal government located in the Pauma Valley, of Southern California. The Pauma Band is one of seven Bands of the Luiseño people located in San Diego and Riverside counties. Pauma produces Hass avocados, Valencia oranges and lemons; and is engaged in protection and reforestation of their tribal lands. The Pauma tribe owns and operates Casino Pauma, providing employment to the Tribal Members and the surrounding communities. Its revenues enhance the Tribal Government?s ability to meet the essential needs of the membership.
About the Tierra Miguel Foundation Founded in 1999, Tierra Miguel Foundation is a charitable organization offering education programs that demonstrate, teach and promote sustainable, community-based food production that encourage healthy lifestyles.
Media Contacts: Joely De La Torre-Proudfit, Pauma Band of Mission Indians /Naqmayam Communications 650-255-2860
Beth Ann Levendoski, Tierra Miguel Foundation 760-742-4213 Telephone 619-884-5634 Cell This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.tierrramiguelfarm.org
PAUMA BAND OF LUISEO INDIANS ANNOUNCE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO ON RESORT EXPANSION
(Download PDF of this Press Release)
Agreement to Fund Quality Of Life Upgrades in the Pauma Valley
PAUMA INDIAN RESERVATION, Pauma Valley, California, July 28, 2008 ? The Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the County of San Diego. The agreement provides financial contributions to the County to be used primarily towards quality of life improvements for County and Tribal residents. The money will also be used to mitigate the possible impacts of the Tribe?s new destination casino resort. The agreement is in accordance with the state of California Tribal-State Gaming Compact.
The agreement between the County and the Tribe will allow for the construction of a nineteen story resort casino hotel with 400 rooms.
Under the comprehensive MOU, the Tribe will provide funding to the County that will afford significant upgrades to local roads, an increased public safety presence, an environmentally friendly water conservation program, and expanded fire and life safety capabilities in the valley. Funds will also be used for assistance in overcoming gambling addiction. At a time when state and other funding for local roads is contracting the Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians is solidifying a partnership under the MOU to augment those services and road improvements which mitigate the impacts of its casino expansion.
?This agreement demonstrates the Tribe?s commitment to participate in a meaningful collaboration with the County in improving the quality of life for the Pauma Valley residents.? Commented Chairman Chris Devers. ?This project will generate hundreds of jobs, create economic growth opportunities for businesses in the area and provide additional resources for local residents. These contributions will help build a safer and more prosperous place for all the people of the valley.? Chairman Devers said.
Ultimately, this is a victory for the Tribe and Chairman Devers? administration in securing a healthy and prosperous future for its forthcoming generations.
The Tribe is partnering with Mashantucket Pequots; Owners of Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut to build and manage the casino resort.
About the Pauma Band of Mission Indians Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians is a federally recognized tribal government located in the Pauma Valley of Southern California. The Pauma Band is one of seven Bands of the Luiseño people located in San Diego and Riverside counties. Pauma produces Hass avocados, Valencia oranges and lemons; and is engaged in protection and reforestation of their tribal lands. The Pauma tribe owns and operates Casino Pauma, providing employment to the Tribal Members and the surrounding communities. Its revenues enhance the Tribal Government?s ability to meet the essential needs of the membership.
Media Contacts: Joely Proudfit, PR Consultant, Pauma Band of Mission Indians /Naqmayam Communications 951-816-3301 650-255-2860 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
PAUMA BAND OF LUISEO INDIANS RECEIVE APPROVAL OF
(Download PDF of this Press Release)
Tribe Responds To Valley Concerns with Major Changes in Plans
PAUMA INDIAN RESERVATION, Pauma Valley, California, May 7, 2008 -- Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians announced today the approval of the combined Environmental Assessment and Tribal Environmental Impact Report (?EA/TEIR?) from the National Indian Gaming Commission for the proposed expansion of the casino resort.
The National Indian Gaming Commission is the federal agency that reviews and approves management agreements, such as the one proposed between the Pauma Band and Foxwoods Development Company. As part of that process, the Commission serves as the lead agency for issuing and approving an Environmental Assessment effecting the Band?s reservation.
The TEIR is a requirement under the Band?s State Compact that assesses any off-reservation impacts resulting from its proposed expanded casino. The Pauma Band combined both documents for purposes of assessing the total environmental impacts.
The Band has simultaneously certified the TEIR component of the Environmental Review and immediately forwarded copies to the County of San Diego. The next step in the process is for the Pauma Band to commence negotiations with the County of San Diego where, in compliance with the Pauma Band?s Compact with the State of California, the Band will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the County to mitigate any off-reservation impacts.
Pauma revised its plans for the new casino resort after receiving input from local neighbors during public hearings and in written comments last Fall as well as working one-on-one with concerned community groups.
?Following the meeting when the Pauma Tribe first publicly presented its draft EA/TEIR, many residents were of the view that nothing could be done and that any approach to the Tribe would be a waste of time?, said Bill Taylor, an author of the residents? letter. ?The Tribe has proven those views to be wrong,? he elaborated, ?as it has spent considerable sums of money and delayed development to create an alternate plan that is meaningfully less disruptive of the beauty of Pauma Valley in which the Tribe and the off-reservation residents share.?
Several new aspects to the project have been modified with the help of the community; highlights of the changes in the four major categories are:
Traffic: New plan will work with Caltrans and its administrative process to signalize the intersection of Highway 76 and Pauma Reservation Road.
Site and Sound: The height of the hotel tower was reduced from 23-stories to 19-stories; major reduction in the size of the casino gaming floor by 10,000 square feet; reduction of the special events center by 15,000 square feet; to eliminate noise concerns, forgoing the construction of the proposed outdoor amphitheatre; abiding by the San Diego County?s Dark Skies Ordinance.
Safety: Pauma will make additional financial contributions to the Sheriff Department to offset additional costs. Pauma will develop and fund a Tribal Fire Department to protect the area from wildfires and other fire-related threats. Furthermore, Pauma will expand existing agreements with local fire departments and the California Highway Patrol to further protect our community.
Water Use: New casino resort will use less water than the current casino and agricultural uses, and will also result in a net increase in groundwater recharge.
?In so extensively reworking its plans for the expansion of Casino Pauma, the Pauma Tribe clearly worked to respect the views of the over 120 of its neighbors who signed a letter identifying concerns about the off-reservation impacts of the original development plan? said Charles Mathews, another author of the residents? letter.
?With its good-neighbor approach, the Pauma Tribe has uniquely provided an opportunity for the County of San Diego to negotiate an agreement that protects members of the Tribe, off-reservation residents, and visitors of Pauma Valley? said Roger Warburton, another author of the residents? letter.
"Tribal sovereignty creates a duty for us to work with others,? said Chairman Chris Devers "As a tribal government we have a responsibility to our community and future generations to work with those around us in pursuit of our common interests. Environmental consciousness and economic growth are important issues for all the residents of the valley" he said.
About the Pauma Band of Mission Indians
Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians is a federally recognized tribal government located in the Pauma Valley of Southern California. The Pauma Band is one of seven Bands of the Luiseño people located in San Diego and Riverside counties. Pauma produces Hass avocados, Valencia oranges and lemons; and is engaged in protection and reforestation of their tribal lands. The Pauma tribe owns and operates Casino Pauma, providing employment to the Tribal Members and the surrounding communities. Its revenues enhance the Tribal Government?s ability to meet the essential needs of the membership.
Media Contacts: Joely Proudfit, PR Consultant Pauma Band of Mission Indians /Naqmayam Communications 951-816-3301 650-255-2860 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
 |
 |
