Artist's rendering of the proposed West Valley Resort. Image from Tohono O'odham Nation
The Bureau of Indian Affairs has once again approved a land-into-trust application for the Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona. The BIA will place about 135 acres in trust near Glendale, according to news reports. The tribe intends to use the land for the West Valley Resort. The land-into-trust decision, however, does not address whether the tribe can use the site for the casino. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, generally, bars gaming on land acquired after 1988. But Section 20 of the law creates an exception for land acquired in connection with a land claim settlement. The tribe appears to qualify due to the Gila Bend Indian Reservation Lands Replacement Act of 1986. Glendale is near Phoenix and other tribes with casinos in the area are opposing the project. They've lost every round so far in court but further litigation is expected. Get the Story:
US Interior Dept. poised to let West Valley casino move forward (The Phoenix Business Journal 7/3)
Feds: Tohono O'odhams Can Buy Glendale Parcel (KFYI 7/3)
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