Mashpee Wampanaog Tribe confident of casino land-into-trust

Wednesday, June 20, 2012  

The leader of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts doesn't think its casino project will be affected by the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Salazar v. Patchak.

The tribe has submitted a land-into-trust application to use 145 acres in Taunton for a casino and 170 acres in Mashpee for a headquarters and other purposes. If approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the decision will be open to a wide range of challenges but Chairman Cedric Cromwell isn't worried.

"This ruling does not change anything about our pursuit of land in trust, which is progressing rapidly, nor does it change our focus on bringing thousands of jobs and millions in revenue to our tribe, Taunton and Southeastern Massachusetts through our destination resort casino in Taunton," Cromwell said in a statement, The Cape Cod Times reported. "We will meet all criteria for our initial reservation, and we will be successful."

The BIA is holding public meetings tonight and tomorrow to discuss the tribe's application.

Get the Story:
Supreme Court ruling arms casino critics (The Cape Cod Times 6/20)

Supreme Court Decision:
Salazar v. Patchak (June 18, 2012)

Communities seek inclusion in Mashpee Wampanoag casino talk (6/19)