Appeals court backs Gun Lake land-into-trust

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected a challenge to the land-into-trust application for the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan.

In a unanimous decision, the court said the Bureau of Indian Affairs did not violate the National Environmental Protection Act by agreeing to take 147 acres in trust for the casino. The court also upheld the constitutionality of the land-into-trust process.

The ruling means the tribe can move forward with a casino and other development on the parcel.

Court Decision:
MI Gambling Oppo v. Kempthorne, Dirk (April 29, 2008)