BIA waits to take land into trust for Gun Lake casino

Tuesday, January 27, 2009  

The Bureau of Indian Affairs expects to take land into trust for the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians in a few days.

A spokesperson said the agency is waiting for a final mandate from the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals before acquiring the 147 acres for the Michigan tribe, whose leaders are planning a casino at the site. The tribe still needs to negotiate a Class III gaming compact before opening a facility.

The tribe's plans were blocked by an anti-gaming group but the U.S. Supreme Court ended the battle last week by refusing to hear MichGo v. Kempthorne. A second, separate lawsuit effectively was killed by a federal judge on Monday.

Get the Story:
Another Step Closer for Gun Lake Tribe (WKZO 1/27)
Allegan County casino's future in hands of Interior Department after Gun Lake tribe's court win (The Grand Rapids Press 1/27)
Mich. casino close to reality after judge’s ruling (AP 1/26)