It looks like the Bureau of Indian Affairs is sticking to a Bush-era policy regarding Class III gaming compacts for off-reservation casino sites.

In 2005, the Bush administration said it would disapprove compacts that refer to sites that are "not now or may never be Indian lands." The change, which was implemented without tribal consultation of public comment, allowed the BIA to reject an off-reservation casino deal in Oregon even though the state governor had already signed it.

A letter from Paula Hart, the director of the BIA's Office of Indian Gaming, indicates the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians of Michigan will suffer the same fate. The tribe signed a compact with Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) for an off-reservation casino but the agreement has reportedly been withdrawn due to the Indian lands issue.

“(The Department of Interior) can’t make the decision in the 45 days required,” John Wernet, Granholm's deputy legal counsel, told Information & Research Service. “So the tribe has withdrawn its request. It will be resubmitted and we’ll start over.”

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act gives the BIA 45 days to review gaming compacts.

Get the Story:
Little River Withdraws Petition for Land into Trust, Will Likely Resubmit (Turtle Talk / Michigan Information & Research Service Inc 6/28)
Lansing hearing scheduled for resolution to allow Fruitport casino (The Muskegon Chronicle 6/28)

Related Stories:
Hearing for Little River Band off-reservation casino delayed (6/15)
Editorial: Don't delay Little River Band off-reservation casino (6/9)
Letter: Little River off-reservation casino good for economy (6/7)
Another hearing scheduled on Little River Band casino plan (5/31)
Little River Band defends off-reservation casino at hearing (5/27)
Bill introduced on Little River Band off-reservation casino (4/14)
Editorial: Support Little River Band off-reservation casino (3/29)
Little River Band wins support for two casino agreements (3/23)
Little River Band signs compact for off-reservation casino (3/22)