Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) said he opposes the Cayuga Nation's land-into-trust application "plain and simple."

Schumer held a press conference to discuss the draft environmental impact study on the application. He said the Bureau of Indian Affairs failed to consider environmental, economic and jurisdictional issues.

"The whole system is out of whack," said Schumer, according to news reports.

The tribe wants about 130 acres in two counties placed in trust. "The Nation welcomes Senator Schumer's offer to facilitate a negotiated settlement of these issues and stands ready to assist him," the tribe said in a statement.

Schumer has supported off-reservation casinos in the Catskills.

Get the Story:
Schumer wants a do-over on Feds' draft statement (The Auburn Citizen 7/1)
Sen. Charles Schumer faults draft report on Cayuga land-trust impact (The Syracuse Post-Standard 7/1)
Schumer seeks new look at trust land (AP 7/1)

Related Stories:
Editorial: BIA fails on Cayuga land-into-trust (6/22)
Big turnout for Cayuga Nation land-into-trust (6/18)
BIA holds meeting on Cayuga Nation land-into-trust (6/17)