The Bureau of Indian Affairs plans to take 26 acres of land into trust for an off-reservation casino in Wisconsin, according to a notice published in the Federal Register on Monday.

The Bad River and St. Croix bands of the Lake Superior Chippewa want to open a casino in Beloit. The tribe say it will create more than 5,000 jobs and bring $8 million to local businesses. The casino will be located along a major interstate.

According to the notice, the facility consists of a 100,000 square foot casino and support area, a 35,000 square foot conference/convention center, several restaurants, a 7,000 square foot child care facility and a gift shop. These structures will be located on the 26 acres to be taken into trust.

A 500 unit hotel, a 2,000 seat theater, a 68,000 square foot water park, and parking facilities would be located on an adjacent land held in fee status.

Principal deputy assistant secretary Aurene Martin is in charge of all gaming-related land-into-trust matters at the BIA but since she is a member of the Bad River Band, she did not participate in this decision. Woodrow W. Hopper, the deputy for management, signed the April 15 decision for the two tribes.

Get the Notice:
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (May 3, 2004)