The Mashpee Wampanoag
Tribe of Massachusetts was promised a decision on its casino land-into-trust application
earlier this spring.
Several months later, the Bureau of Indian Affairs has finally released the draft environmental impact statement for the $500 million First
Light Resort and Casino. Public comments are being accepted until January 2014 so it looks like a decision won't be coming for several more months.
As part of the process, the BIA will hold a public hearing on December 2 in Mashpee, the tribe's headquarters, and another one on December 3 in Taunton. That's where the casino would be located.
Get the Story:
Public hearing on Mashpee Wampanoag DEIS set for December 2
(Cape Cod Today 11/20)
Taunton casino environmental impact hearings set for Dec. 2 and 3
(The Taunton Daily Gazette 11/21)
Environmental report on proposed casino available for inspection
(South Coast Today 11/21)
Casino issues crossing borders
(The Boston Globe 11/21)
Federal Register Notice:
Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Fee-to-Trust Transfer of
Property and Subsequent Development of a Resort/Hotel and Tribal Government
Facilities by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (November 15, 2013)
Related Stories:
Governor signs Mashpee Wampanaog Tribe's
casino compact (11/15)