Artist's rendering of proposed First Light Resort and Casino. Image from Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts is seeing movement on its casino land-into-trust application. The tribe submitted the application in August 2007, a few months after winning federal recognition. After changing gaming sites twice, the tribe settled on 151 acres in Taunton and the draft environmental impact statement is now ready for public review. “The Interior Department’s approval of the DEIS represents a key milestone in the acquisition of land for our tribe,” Chairman Cedric Cromwell said in a press release. “It is also a key step forward for our Project First Light Destination Resort and Casino in Taunton, which is expected to bring thousands of jobs to southeastern Massachusetts." The Bureau of Indian Affairs will be taking comments on the draft. But it could take several months, or even longer, for a final EIS to be published and for the land to be placed in trust. Get the Story:
Mashpee tribe hits 'key milestone' (The Cape Cod Times 10/24)
Feds to publish environmental statement on tribe's Taunton land application (The Taunton Daily Gazette 10/24)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe one step closer to land-in-trust bid (Cape Cod Today 10/24) Related Stories:
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe awaits action on gaming compact (10/22)
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