BIA to take land into trust for gaming purposes

Wednesday, January 19, 2005  

After a lengthy review period, the Bureau of Indian Affairs has agreed to take 12.72 acres of land into trust for the Suquamish Tribe of Washington, according to a Federal Register notice published on Tuesday.

The land will be used for gaming purposes so the decision went all the way to central office in Washington, D.C. The notice signed by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Mike Olsen said the parcel qualifies for gaming because it is located within the boundaries of the Suquamish Reservation as the reservation existed on October 17, 1988.

According to the notice, a government attorney issued an opinion in favor of the tribe on April 10, 2003. Then a year later, former principal deputy assistant secretary Aurene Martin agreed to acquire the land. The notice does not explain why the decision was only published now.

Get the Story:
Land Acquisitions; Suquamish Tribe of Washington (Federal Register 1/18)