The Bureau of Indian Affairs will hold two public hearings this month on the land-into-trust application for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts.

The BIA is preparing a draft environmental impact statement for the acquisition of 679 acres. Of the land, 539 acres in the town of Middleboro will be used for a casino.

A notice published in today's Federal Register states that the casino plan includes a hotel, restaurants, a food court, an entertainment venue, about 80,000 square feet of convention event space, retail shops and a parking garage. A cultural facility, water park, spa and golf course are also under consideration.

The meetings take place March 25 and March 26. Written comments are being accepted until April 9.

The tribe is pursuing the casino under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) wants the tribe to seek a commercial casino under legislation that is being debated in the state.

The two sides met on Tuesday but the tribe says it will stand by its efforts. Patrick is still lobbying lawmakers to pass his gaming plan.

Get the Story:
Casino environmental hearing set for March 25 (The Cape Cod Times 3/6)
Middleboro casino’s parking garage, hotel to be discussed at meeting (The Brockton Enterprise 3/6)
Gov makes book for casinos (The Boston Herald 3/6)
Patrick sends lawmakers brochure lauding casino plan (The Boston Globe 3/6)
Governor takes his casino push straight to lawmakers (State House News Service 3/6)