Artist's rendering of proposed First Light Resort and Casino. Image from Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts was promised a decision on its casino land-into-trust application earlier this spring. Several months later, the Bureau of Indian Affairs has finally released the draft environmental impact statement for the $500 million First Light Resort and Casino. Public comments are being accepted until January 2014 so it looks like a decision won't be coming for several more months. As part of the process, the BIA will hold a public hearing on December 2 in Mashpee, the tribe's headquarters, and another one on December 3 in Taunton. That's where the casino would be located. Get the Story:
Public hearing on Mashpee Wampanoag DEIS set for December 2 (Cape Cod Today 11/20)
Taunton casino environmental impact hearings set for Dec. 2 and 3 (The Taunton Daily Gazette 11/21)
Environmental report on proposed casino available for inspection (South Coast Today 11/21)
Casino issues crossing borders (The Boston Globe 11/21) Federal Register Notice:
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Fee-to-Trust Transfer of Property and Subsequent Development of a Resort/Hotel and Tribal Government Facilities by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (November 15, 2013) Related Stories:
Governor signs Mashpee Wampanaog Tribe's casino compact (11/15)
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