Appeals court to hear off-reservation casino case

Wednesday, October 21, 2009  

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in an off-reservation gaming case on November 3.

The St. Croix Chippewa Tribe and the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians want to build a casino in Beloit. The project enjoys strong local support.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs, in the final days of the Bush administration, rejected the casino, saying it was too far from the tribes' reservations. Beloit is more than 300 miles away.

At issue is a January 2008 guidance memorandum that make it nearly impossible for tribes to acquire land away from existing reservations. The Obama administration is reviewing the policy but continues to fight the lawsuit.

Get the Story:
Showdown for casino (The Beloit Daily News 10/21)

BIA Letter:
George Skibine to Bad River Band/St. Croix Chippewa (January 13, 2009)

Off-Reservation Gaming Policy:
Guidance on taking off-reservation land into trust for gaming purposes (January 3, 2008)