Indian Casino Would Harm the Environment

Re “Tribe’s Plans for a Casino Shake Up Sonoma County,” June 11: Miwok Chief Greg Sarris seriously misrepresents the proposed casino’s impact on San Francisco Bay. It will effectively prevent the planned restoration of at least 3,000 acres of wetlands in the North Bay. The casino site is in the heart of an undeveloped area zoned as open space and sensitive environment. The site was part of the historic tidal marshes of San Francisco Bay.

A consortium of government wildlife agencies and business and environmental organizations working to restore those wetlands has voted to oppose the casino because of its devastating effect. It is a tragic irony that a tribe renowned for its basket-weaving using marsh grasses would be responsible for destroying the ecological source of its cultural heritage.

Marc Holmes

The Bay Institute

Novato, Calif.