Work begins on casino in Iowa opposed by South Dakota tribe

Wednesday, June 23, 2010  

Construction begins today on a $120 million casino in Iowa, just a few miles from the South Dakota border.

The developers of the Lyon County Casino received approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a letter from the State Historical Society of Iowa. The Army Corps said there were no wetlands at the site and the society said there were no burial grounds.

The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe sought a study of the casino due to its proximity to Blood Run, a significant village and inter-tribal trading site in South Dakota and Iowa. The area is known to contain burial grounds, villages and other archaeological sites but the casino site appears to be in the clear.

The casino is about eight miles south of Sioux Falls. The tribe has proposed an off-reservation casino in the area to counteract the Iowa development.

Get the Story:
Lyon County Casino Ready To Break Ground (KELO-TV 6/22)

Related Stories:
Iowa backs casino opposed by Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe (5/14)
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe asks for study of casino site (5/3)
Debate: Flandreau Santee Sioux off-reservation casino (4/16)
Investor not worried about tribal off-reservation casino (4/15)
Candidates respond to Flandreau off-reservation casino (4/14)
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe eyes off-reservation casino (4/12)