The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians in Michigan might buy additional land near its off-reservation gaming site.
But the 120 acres in Fruitport Township won't be used for gaming, MLive reports. The tribe has entered into an agreement that could result in the purchase of the land for $500,000.
"At this time, the tribe is conducting a due diligence assessment of the property," spokesperson Glenn Zaring told MLive "Once completed, a study will be conducted to ascertain the best use of the property for the benefit of our tribal citizens and the community at large."
The site is about four miles south of the proposed $180 million casino in Fruitport Township. The project saw strong local support at a Bureau of Indian Affairs hearing last month.
The BIA is working on an environmental impact
statement and could issue a scoping report this winter. The document will be followed a draft EIS, more public comments and then a final
EIS.
Sometime after that, the BIA would issue a record of decision. If the
agency approves, the final say rests with the state's governor because the tribe
is pursuing the development under the two-part determination provisions of the
Indian
Gaming Regulatory Act.
Get the Story:
Tribe behind Fruitport casino signs $500,000 agreement to buy school land
(MLive 11/10)
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:
Steve
Pego: Michigan compact bars off-reservation casino (11/06)
Little
River Band hopeful after off-reservation casino hearing (10/19)
Little River
Band sees support for off-reservation casino bid (10/16)
Little River
Band set for hearing on off-reservation casino bid (10/14)
Thomas St.
Dennis: Don't let rival tribe stop Little River casino (10/9)
Little River
Band sees off-reservation casino as boost for revenue (10/8)
Saginaw
Chippewa Tribe vows fight over off-reservation casino (9/29)
Little River
Band sees strong support for off-reservation casino (9/24)
Little River
Band remains committed to off-reservation casino (9/23)
BIA sets
hearing on Little River Band off-reservation casino bid (9/21)