January 08, 2008

11 land-into-trust applications rejected

Rejected tribes want casinos too far from reservationsAfter months of anticipation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs finally issued "guidance" on taking off-reservation land into trust for gaming purposes.

According to the new policy, 30 tribes want to open casinos away from their existing reservations. Interior Department officials rejected 11 proposals on Friday, leaving 19 more in the wings.

So what happened? Here's a review of the 11 land-into-trust applications and why they were rejected by the BIA.

Big Lagoon Rancheria/Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and CupeƱo Indians, California

Chemehuevi Tribe, California

Hannahville Indian Community, Michigan

Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico

Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Wisconsin

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Mississippi

St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, New York

Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, Wisconsin

Seneca-Cayuga Tribe, Oklahoma

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, Oklahoma
Typical reason given for the rejection:The BIA said the application failed to detail the benefits of the proposed casino and that the gaming site was not within a "reasonable commuting distance" of the reservation.

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