Compacts

Ho-Chunk Nation hails movement on off-reservation casino bid

Friday, March 20, 2015

A conceptual design of the proposed Ho-Chunk Nation off-reservation in Beloit, Wisconsin. Image from Good for Beloit

The Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin says the Bureau of Indian Affairs has restarted work on its off-reservation casino.

More than two years ago, the BIA said it was preparing an environmental impact statement for the casino in Beloit. There's been little movement since then, a situation the Ho-Chunk Nation attributed to the controversy involving the Menominee Nation.

But now that the Menominee casino in Kenosha is off the table for now, the Ho-Chunks say the BIA can resume work on its project. The next step would be the release of the draft EIS, to be followed by a final EIS.

The tribe is pursuing the Beloit casino under the two-part determination provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The law gives the state governor final say, assuming the BIA approves.

Gov. Scott Walker (R) killed the Menominee project in January. He's serving his second term in office but may not be there by the time the BIA finishes work on the Ho-Chunk casino.

Get the Story:
Beloit casino application moves to regional office (The Janesville Gazette 3/20)

Federal Register Notice:
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Ho-Chunk Nation Beloit Casino Project, City of Beloit, Rock County, WI (November 26, 2012)