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JULY 24, 2000

Four Wisconsin tribes continue their opposition to a casino proposal by three Ojibwe bands in Wisconsin.

The four tribes paid for a study prepared by the Environmental Resource Group of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The study claims the Four Feathers casino group, composed of the Lac Courte Oreilles, Red Cliff, and Mole Lake Ojibwe bands and their Florida partner, have not adequately considered the environmental impact of the casino.

The Ojibwe bands have proposed a casino in the city of Hudson. The report claims the city will be adversely affected and that the tribes have downplayed the effect their casion will have on traffic, noise, and other factors.

The report is yet another in a challenge tribes have made against Four Feathers. The Prairie Dakota recently filed suit against the Department of Interior and Secretary Bruce Babbitt over an agreement the Interior made with the tribes in 1999.

The three Ojibwe bands recently won a Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals challenge by the St. Croix Ojibwe, who attempted to intervene in a lawsuit the tribes brought against Babbitt, but the court rejected their motion. That lawsuit brought about the 1999 agreement.

More recently, the tribes also came to an agreement with the city of Hudson. In May, the city agreed to drop all appearances of objection to the project and write letters to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Governor Tommy Thompson clarifying their position.

Additionally, leaders of 18 municipalities near Hudson have tentatively agreed to their proposal. The tribes have offered them $25 million over nine years in exchange for their support.

The tribes also have a legal victory in their favor which may affect the Prairie Island lawsuit. In June, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the St. Croix Ojibwe of Wisconsin, who specifically cited the Settlement Agreement, could not interfere in the Hudson casino proposal.

The tribes, however, still face a major hurdle with the Governor Thompson. When presented with a petition opposing the casino on July 13, Thompson said the signatures have a "great deal of impact."

Thompson said he will not approve the casino if there is significant local opposition.

Get the Story:
Casino foes say developers have downplayed impact of potential problems (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 7/24)

Related Stories:
Tribe suing DOI over casino (Tribal Law 7/18)

Get the Decision:
Sokaogon Chippewa Community, et al. v Babbitt, et al. (7th Circuit. No. 00-1137. June 2000)

Relevant Links:
US District Court of Minnesota - www.mnd.uscourts.gov
The Department of Interior - www.doi.gov
The Bureau of Indian Affairs - www.doi.gov/bureau-indian-affairs.html