The Cayuga Nation of New York isn't going to wait for an answer from the Bureau of Indian Affairs about the status of its land-into-trust application, a lawyer said.

The tribe asked the BIA to take several properties in trust. Local and state officials just received their copies of the application, triggering a 30-day comment period.

A final decision could be years away but a lawyer said the tribe will reopen gaming halls it had previously closed. The lawyer acknowledged that the land-into-trust application didn't mention that the tribe will use the land for gaming purposes.

Get the Story:
Cayugas say they'll reopen gaming (The Syracuse Post-Standard 12/7)

Cayuga Land Claim Decision:
Cayuga Nation v. New York (June 28, 2005)

Sherrill v. Oneida Nation Decision:
Syllabus | Opinion [Ginsburg] | Concurrence [Souter] | Dissent [Stevens]

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