The Bureau of Indian Affairs held the first session on its new Section 20 regulations on the Mohegan Reservation in Connecticut on Thursday.

The BIA heard from tribal representatives from as far away as Washington. Local town leaders, who are opposed to the expansion of gaming and trust lands, also attended the meeting. All expressed concerns about the regulations, with the towns seeking more restrictions on tribes.

The new regulations codify standards for land taken into trust for gaming purposes after 1988. They cover the exceptions in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act as well as the two-part determination process. They do not affect land-into-trust applications for non-gaming purposes.

The next meeting takes place April 5 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A total of four meetings were scheduled by the BIA.

Get the Story:
Preston, N. Stonington voice casino woes (The Norwich Bulletin 3/31)
Towns, Indian Tribes Heard At Land Regulation Consultation (The New London Day 3/31)
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Press Release:
DOI to Hold Consultation Meetings on Proposed IGRA Section 20 Regulations (March 27, 2006)

Draft BIA Regulations:
Gaming on Lands Acquired After October 17, 1998

Relevant Documents:
Kevin Gover Testimony | Aurene Martin Testimony | Title 25 CFR Part 151 Land-into-Trust Process | Section 20 of IGRA | GAO Report

Pombo IGRA Bill:
To amend section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to restrict off-reservation gaming (H.R.4893)

McCain IGRA Bill:
Indian Gaming Regulatory Act Amendments of 2005 (S.2078)

Relevant Links:
Senate Indian Affairs Committee - http://indian.senate.gov
NIGC Indian Land Determinations - http://www.nigc.gov/nigc/nigcControl?option=LAND_DETERMINATIONS
National Indian Gaming Association - http://www.indiangaming.org

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