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AUGUST 31, 2000

A survey commissioned by the Prairie Island Indian Community in Minnesota shows significant opposition to a casino proposed by three Ojibwe tribes.

According the survey, 63 percent of those polled oppose the casino. Of those who oppose the casino, 60 percent say it would negatively impact the quality of life in Hudson, Wisconsin, where the casino would be located.

The survey's results are probably not surprising to many, considering the amount of controversy the casino, which is proposed by the Red Cliff, Sokaogon, and Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe, has generated over the years.

In 1998, Congress conducted a wide-scale investigation into campaign finance issues and found that the tribes who opposed the casino contributed at least $356,250 to Democratic party interests in the 1996 election cycle. Amid allegations of wrongdoing within the Department of Interior, however, a recently released report cleared Secretary Bruce Babbitt of any wrongdoing over the casino.

Nevertheless, local and tribal governments continue to voice concerns about the casino. The Prairie Island tribe is opposing the casino for several reasons, including a threat to its own gaming operation.

The tribe operates a casino about an hour away from Hudson.

The tribe is also suing the Department of Interior over its decision to consider the casino at all. The Department rejected the casino in 1995, citing local opposition, but agreed to reconsider its decision after coming to an agreement with the three tribes.

A 30-day comment period focused on the environmental impact of the casino ended yesterday. The Interior will consider comments submitted during this time, in addition to those already on the record as of July 1995.

The survey was conducted on 300 residents of Hudson. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 5.7 percentage points.

Relevant Links:
The House Committee on Government Reform - www.house.gov/reform
Testimony on The Department of Interior's Denial of the Wisconsin Chippewa's Casino Application - commdocs.house.gov/committees/gro/hgoHudson.000
/hgoHudson_0f.htm
Letter to Janet Reno from the Committee on Government Reform - www.house.gov/reform/letters/210reno.htm

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