The Little River Band of Ottawa
Indians is seeing progress on its proposed off-reservation casino in Michigan.
In a notice published in today's issue of the Federal Register, the Bureau of Indian Affairs announced the preparation of an environmental impact statement for the $180 million project in Fruitport Township. A public scoping meeting will be held October 15 as part of the process.
"We strongly encourage the community to join us on October 15 in expressing their opinions that this project will have a positive impact on the Muskegon community," Ogema Larry Romanelli said in a press release quoted by MLive. "Community feedback is important to the Bureau of Indian Affairs' ability to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the project."
The tribe is pursuing the casino under the two-part determination provisions of
the Indian
Gaming Regulatory Act. If the BIA approves, the
state governor will have veto authority over the project.
The 60-acre site is about 80 miles from reservation headquarters. The project
would be located at a former racetrack.
The land-into-trust application was filed in February.
Get the Story:
Proposed Muskegon County tribal casino steps toward federal permit
(MLive 9/21)
Next step in Muskegon Co. casino plan announced
(Fox17 9/21)
Federal Register Notice:
Notice
of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Little
River Band of Ottawa Indians Fruitport Casino Project, Fruitport Township,
Muskegon County, Michigan (September 21, 2015)
Related Stories:
Little
River Band breaks ground on $18M casino expansion project (06/16)
Little
River Band leader vows support for off-reservation casino (04/29)
Little
River Band announces departure of casino general manager (04/02)
Opinion:
Bad gamble on Little River Band off-reservation casino (03/18)
Interview
with Little River Band leader on off-reservation casino (3/16)
Editorial:
Little River Band casino could bring economic boost (03/11)
Little
River Band expects wait for $180M off-reservation casino (02/26)