Little River Band set for hearing on off-reservation casino bid

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Artist's rendering of proposed off-reservation casino in Fruitport Township, Michigan. Image from Little River Band

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The Bureau of Indian Affairs is holding a public hearing on Thursday for the off-reservation casino proposed by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians in Michigan.

MLive Muskegon Chronicle will carry a live webcast of the hearing. It takes place at 6pm local time at the Fruitport Middle School Auditorium in Fruitport.

The BIA is preparing an environmental impact statement for the $180 million project. Plans call for 69,000 square-feet of gaming floor space, 1,700 slot machines, 35 table games, a 220-room hotel, conference and meeting room space, and dining and entertainment options.

The tribe is pursuing the casino under the two-part determination provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The law gives veto authority to the state governor if the BIA approves it.

The 60-acre site is about 80 miles from the reservation. The land-into-trust application was submitted to the BIA in February.

Get the Story:
Don't forget federal hearing on proposed casino Thursday; MLive to live stream (Mlive Muskegon Chronicle 10/14)