White Earth Nation faces wait on permits for third gaming project

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

A 3D view shows the site in Star Lake, Minnesota, where the White Earth Nation plans to open a gaming facility, hotel and other developments. Image: Google Earth

The White Earth Nation is seeing progress on plans for a third gaming facility in Minnesota.

Officials in Otter Tail County earlier this month released an draft environmental assessment worksheet for the project at Star Lake. Although the casino itself would be located on a 14.5-acre trust property, the tribe is seeking local approval for a hotel and other developments on 225 acres surrounding the site.

The worksheet could end up being used to approve a conditional use permit for a parking lot and driveway at the facility, The Pelham Focus reported. But a group called Star Lake Concerned Citizens Group is pushing for a more lengthy environmental impact statement, the paper said, which could delay a decision.

An aerial view of the White Earth Nation gaming site in Star Lake, Minnesota. The trust parcel is outlined in red. Source: Otter Tail County Draft Star Lake Casino Environmental Assessment Worksheet

The tribe, which operates two Shooting Star locations on its reservation, has said it hopes to open the new facility in 2018.

The Star Lake site is separated from the main reservation. It has been in trust since the 1930s.

Read More on the Story:
Star Lake casino use permit decision still on hold (The Pelham Focus 5/15)