White Earth Nation remains optimistic on permits for new casino

Monday, March 6, 2017

Wild rice at Star Lake in Minnesota. Photo: Star Lake Concerned Citizens Group

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The White Earth Nation is hoping to secure final approvals soon for a new gaming facility in Minnesota.

The tribe is waiting on a slew of local, state and federal permits for the Shooting Star project in Otter County, The Fergus Falls Daily Journal reported. The paper's tally includes at least 10 pending or forthcoming applications.

Despite the big task, Shooting Star general manager Bill Marsh believes the project is moving forward for an anticipated opening in 2018. “Things are starting to fall into place,” he told the paper.

The casino itself does not need further approvals. It would be built on a 14.5-acre parcel that has been in trust since the 1930s.

It's the remaining parts of the project that need local, state and federal review and that's why a group called Star Lake Concerned Citizens Group is closely following the process. The tribe has purchased 225 acre of fee land around the trust parcel to support the casino, a hotel and other developments.

The Star Lake site is separated from the main reservation, where the tribe operates two casinos.

Read More on the Story:
Star Lake Casino has multiple sides to development (The Fergus Falls Daily Journal 3/5)
Done Deal? The Star Lake Casino Project (KVRR 2/27)