The Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma held a second meeting to discuss plans for an off-reservation casino in New Mexico.

The tribe is analyzing the environmental impacts of the proposed casino. An application could be submitted to the Bureau of Indian Affairs sometime this fall.

"This meeting is a step, a pretty big step, but there are other things that need to happen," Chairman Jeff Haozous told The Deming Headlight. "From a realistic perspective, it takes a while to get things done and to get things approved."

The tribe plans to build a casino on its 30-acre reservation in the southern part of New Mexico. The land was placed in trust after 1988 and it hasn't been deemed eligible for gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

The tribe is following the two-part determination process of IGRA. In addition to federal approval, the casino will need approval by the state governor.

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