White Earth Nation takes more time to respond to comments on casino plan

Thursday, August 3, 2017

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

The White Earth Nation continues to work on plans for a new casino in Minnesota amid intense local interest.

The tribe doesn't need approval to open a casino on a 14.5-acre trust property at Star Lake in Otter Tail County. But additional developments -- such as a hotel, recreational vehicle park and a convention center -- on 225 acres surrounding the site must be approved by the county.

As part of the process, the county took comments on a draft environmental assessment worksheet for the project. But due to the "large number" of comments received, the tribe asked for more time to respond, the board of commissioners said.

Additionally, a group called Star Lake Concerned Citizens Group is pushing for a more lengthy environmental impact statement, which could delay a decision. The board will meet August 22 to determine whether to go that route.

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

Read More on the Story:
Environmental review on Star Lake casino (The Fergus Falls Daily Journal‎ 8/3)
Otter Tail County delays decision on Star Lake Casino (The Pelham Focus 7/28)
Mike McFeely: Otter Tail County delays decision on Star Lake Casino (The Fargo Forum 7/24)
Casino EAW public comments review to continue on Aug. 22 (The Pelham Focus 7/23)