It turns out that Point Molate EIR author Analytical Environmental Services and its managing partner, David Zweig, have a very cozy relationship with the tribes.

Analytical Environmental Services sponsored a meeting of the California Association of Tribal Governments in 2008 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento. Read More http://www.hoopa-nsn.gov/documents/FY-08/CATG_09-11-08.pdf.

“From beer to limousines, vendors tap casino cash” (Sacramento Business Journal) reports, “Millions of dollars that flow out of the pockets of gamblers at Thunder Valley flow into the coffers of local businesses … Analytical Environmental Services of Sacramento prepared an assessment before the casino was built and then monitored wetlands during construction, said engineer David Zweig. He wouldn’t say how much his company charged.” Read more: From beer to limousines, vendors tap casino cash | Sacramento Business Journal. “Environmental firms flush with insurance, tribal work” (Sacramento Business Journal) reports, “The Sacramento area has become a hotbed of environmental cleaning and consulting businesses, fed by a population explosion and the proliferation of new tribal casinos and discoveries of toxic mold. David Zweig, principal of 3-year-old Analytical Environmental Services, said he sees a mix in Sacramento of very large consulting firms and some with ‘one guy working out of a spare bedroom’ … Zweig said Sacramento-based Analytical Environmental’s three main markets are tribal developments — including the recently opened Thunder Valley Casino near Roseville — municipalities and water resources projects. Analytical Environmental prepares environmental impact studies for Native American tribes and the federal government for casinos, housing, health clinics and community centers on tribal land nationwide. Already, Analytical Environmental has completed studies of the impacts on air, water and soil quality for more than 100 tribal projects, getting additional clients solely through referrals. “Tribal governments are some of our best clients,” Zweig said. “The tribal area is growing rapidly. It’s one of our business niches.” Read more: Environmental firms flush with insurance, tribal work | Sacramento Business Journal

“County: Casino study ‘inadequate, unreliable’” (The Columbian, Vancouver, WA) reports, “A final study on the proposed Cowlitz casino fails to evaluate the project’s effects and provides “unreliable and inadequate” information to federal decision-makers. Clark County commissioners reached that conclusion during the county’s review of the final environmental impact statement released May 30. Commissioners also noted that the study, prepared by Analytical Environmental Services of Sacramento, Calif., under the direction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, ignores most of the county’s previous concerns or comments.” Read more http://business.highbeam.com/6570/article-1P2-21727258/cities-county-criticize-casino-report and http://business.highbeam.com/6570/article-1P2-21736307/county-casino-study-inadequate-unreliable.