Jemez Pueblo benefits from change in off-reservation gaming

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Jemez Pueblo benefits from change in off-reservation gaming
Thursday, June 16, 2011

bia

eis

land-into-trust

mescalero apache

new mexico

off-reservation

pueblo

susana martinez

Jemez Pueblo in New Mexico is already benefiting from a shift in off-reservation gaming policy at the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The tribe submitted a land-into-trust application for casino in southern New Mexico. The site is more than 300 miles from the reservation so the Bush administration killed the project under a memo issued in January 2008.

But the Obama administration revived the application last year, noting that the environmental review process hadn't even been completed for it. And now that Assistant Secretary Larry Echo Hawk has rescinded the 2008 memo, the tribe stands a better chance at final approval.

The casino, however, faces big opposition in New Mexico. The Mescalero Apache Nation, the Ruidoso Downs Race Track and the New Mexico Indian Gaming Association are against it.

Gov. Susana Martinez (R) also says she has concerns. Her approval is needed in addition to BIA approval for the off-reservation casino.

The BIA is taking comments on the draft environmental impact statement for the project until July 1.

Get the Story:
Mescalero, track oppose casino (The Ruidoso News 6/15)

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

Federal Register Notice:
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Pueblo of Jemez 70.277-Acre Fee-to-Trust Transfer and Casino Project, Don˜ a Ana County, NM (April 8, 2011)

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