The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe said a casino will only take up a small portion of its 500-acre site in southeastern Massachusetts.

The site covers two communities -- Freetown and Lakeville. The tribe said a substantial portion of the land will be set aside for preservation.

"In our conversations with residents, one major concern that has emerged is the desire to preserve natural resources," Chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais said in a statement, The New Bedford Standard-Times reported.

Residents of the two communities will vote later this month and in early June on the proposal.

Get the Story:
Tribe would dedicate non-casino land for preservation (The New Bedford Standard-Times 5/18)
Freetown residents say casino would harm rural lifestyle (The Fall River Herald News 5/18)

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Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe promises more details on casino (5/14)