FROM THE ARCHIVE
Seneca Nation casino compact deemed approve
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2002 The Bush administration on Thursday refused to endorse a controversial casino agreement that paves the way for the largest expansion of gaming in New York state history. Secretary of Interior Gale Norton announced she will neither approve or disapprove the compact the Seneca Nation negotiated with Gov. George Pataki (R). She exercised an option under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), the law that governs casinos on Indian lands. The decision means the agreement is considered valid but only to the extent it complies with IGRA. The tribe will be able to move forward with up to three casinos in upstate New York. The facilities are expected to generate thousands of jobs and bring much-needed revenue to the state's sagging budget. But it also means that potential challenges gain added significance. The federal courts can be called upon to address whether portions of the compact are consistent with IGRA. The Seneca Nation and the state face lengthy litigation over the terms of the agreement. Indeed, that is what has occurred elsewhere in the country. In New Mexico, for example, a 1997 deal the Clinton administration failed to endorse is still being fought in court. Even compacts that have been approved are challenged. The reasons for Norton's decision won't be explained fully until she issues a formal decision letter. It is expected to be released today and will address some concerns the Department of Interior raised in a late September letter to the Seneca Nation. The potentially troublesome provisions include:
Seneca Nation Gaming Compact (PDF 1.56MB) Relevant Links:
Seneca Nation - http://www.sni.org
Indian Gaming Regulatory Act - http://www.nigc.gov/igra1.htm Related Stories:
Norton passes on Seneca compact (10/24)
Seneca Nation expects casino approvals (09/27)
Challenge could delay Seneca casino (9/20)
Seneca Nation breaks ground on casino (9/19)
Norton warned on Seneca land approval (9/5)
Seneca Nation outlines casino plans (8/21)
Seneca Nation signs casino agreement (8/19)
N.Y. gaming stimulus signed into law (11/1)
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