Appeal continues in off-reservation casino case

Friday, March 13, 2009  

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear a lawsuit that challenges the rejection of an off-reservation casino in Wisconsin.

The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and the St. Croix Chippewa Indians proposed a joint casino in Beloit. But the Bush administration said the gaming site was too far from the tribes' reservations.

The St. Croix Band immediate filed an appeal, which the Department of Justice sought to dismiss. The D.C. Circuit on Monday rejected the government's motion, so the case will continue.

At issue is a January 2008 "guidance memorandum" issued by the Bush administration that makes it virtually impossible for tribes to win approval for casinos more than 40 miles from existing reservations. Tribes hope President Barack Obama will withdraw the memo.

Get the Story:
Casino project wins round in court (The Beloit Daily News 3/13)