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MARCH 22, 2001

In a letter to freshman Congressman Rob Simmons (R-Conn.), the leaders of three Connecticut towns on Tuesday questioned why the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation wants to take land into trust at all.

The towns have opposed the tribe's attempt to add 165 acres of land to their reservation. Along with the state of Connecticut, they sued the Department of Interior, but the Second Circuit Court of Appeals last fall ruled against them.

Still, they say its not just that parcel they oppose, but any future land-into-trust applications. In anticipation of another meeting with the tribe, they want to have the tribal council address the issue.

At a public hearing in February, Chairman Kenneth Reels testified to Simmons that the tribe wants to assure future generations will have land for housing, schools, and other uses. The leaders of North Stonington, Ledyard, and Preston had left the room before Reels made his statements, however.

Get the Story:
Towns want to discuss big picture issues with the tribe (The New London Day 3/22)