Casino Stalker | Federal Register

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe gaming project continues to advance

Friday, June 1, 2012

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is seeing movement on its plan for a casino in Taunton, Massachusetts.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is preparing an environmental impact statement on the tribe's land-into-trust application, according to a notice published in the Federal Register yesterday. The application includes a 145-acre site where the tribe plans to build a $500 million casino.

"This is a significant step by the BIA since it demonstrates a move forward in taking the tribe's lands into federal trust, including for gaming purposes," Chairman Cedric Cromwell said in a press release.

As part of the process, the BIA is hosting public scoping meetings on June 20 in Taunton and on June 21 in Mashpee. Written comments are being accepted until July 2.

Additionally, the city council in Taunton voted 6-1 to approve an intergovernmental agreement with the tribe. Residents will go to the polls on June 9 to say whether they want to host the casino.

Get the Story:
Bureau of Indian Affairs reviews Mashpee land-in-trust application (The Fall River Herald News 6/1)
Taunton council approves casino deal (The Cape Cod Times 6/1)
Taunton City Council backs casino accord (The Taunton Daily Gazette 6/1)

Federal Register Notice:
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Fee-to-Trust Transfer of Property and Subsequent Development of a Resort/Hotel and Ancillary Facilities in the City of Taunton, MA and Tribal Government Facilities in the Town of Mashpee, MA by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (May 31, 2012)