The Middleton Times Herald-Record interviews Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) about his efforts to secure federal approval for the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe's off-reservation casino in the Catskills.

The casino has the support of state politicians and the Bureau of Indian Affairs approved the environmental impact statement for the project. But Schumer said the biggest obstacle is Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, who opposed off-reservation gaming as governor of Idaho.

"It's not going to be as easy as people think. I've spoken to him three times on the telephone. We've discussed the EIS (environmental assessment approved by the BIA), but he said, "Don't take this to mean he will definitely sign off on it," Schumer said.

Schumer said Kempthorne is worried that approving the Mohawk Tribe's land-into-trust application will open the doors for other tribes. "I've told all the casino people that we'll try to find the way this one can be approved," he said. "Maybe a specific exception, so that he isn't obligated to approve all the off-site casinos that come before him."

Schumer said he would rather see Kempthorne delay a decision rather than say no to the deal. "But that's a last resort. It would sent it back at least one-and-a-half years," he said.

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Exclusive interview with Chuck Schumer on Monticello casino (The Middleton Times Herald-Record 3/18)