Judge issues stay on Gun Lake land-into-trust

Tuesday, March 6, 2007  

A federal judge issued a stay against the Bureau of Indian Affairs on Monday, preventing the agency from acquiring land for the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians in Michigan.

The BIA was set to take 146 acres into trust for the band, also known as the Gun Lake Tribe. The tribe plans to build a casino at the site.

Judge John Garrett Penn in Washington affirmed the BIA's decision. But a group called Michigan Gambling Opposition plans to appeal and asked for a stay pending resolution of the case, which Penn granted [Order].

The tribe criticized MIchGO for holding up the land-into-trust application. In a very similar case involving another Michigan tribe, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected all of the group's claims.

The tribe is working with Station Casinos on the project. The tribe still needs to negotiate a compact to offer Class III games.

Get the Story:
Appeals court next stop for casino fight (The Grand Rapids Press 3/6)
Judge's move delays Wayland casino (Chronicle News Service 3/6)