St. Regis Mohawk Tribe: News & Resources

AKWESASNE , NY — The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council received notification that New York State Governor George Pataki continues to support the Tribe's efforts to develop a Mohawk Class III casino at the Monticello Raceway in Sullivan County, New York. The Governor's Office also requested that the Bureau of Indian Affairs promptly notify them once the final review of the Tribe's revised Environmental Assessment (EA) has been satisfactorily completed.

The Tribal Council is pleased that their effort to operate a Catskills casino has the continued support of Governor Pataki. They noted that it is evident to many supporters that a Mohawk casino will result in short and long-term economic benefits for everyone. The Governor's dream of a Catskills casino will be realized soon after the BIA issues a Finding Of No Sufficient Impact (FONSI) for the Tribe's modified EA and Pataki's written concurrence to the project's existing two-part determination.

In a May 25, 2006 letter to George Skibine, Director of the BIA's Office of Indian Gaming Management, Gregory Allen, Senior Assistant Counsel to Governor Pataki, indicated that, "The Governor strongly supports the Tribe's efforts to build a casino at the raceway site." The letter continued and noted several environmental studies that have been submitted in support of the Tribe's project, including certain modifications that will be submitted.

Allen urged the BIA to expedite its review of the modifications to the Tribe's Environmental Assessment that will be submitted later this month. He also asked that the BIA promptly notify the Governor's Office when the potential environmental impacts have been satisfactorily addressed. The request was made to help facilitate Pataki's review of the project's existing two-part determination that still requires the Governor's concurrence.

In April 2006, the BIA provided the Tribal Council with a nine-point punch list of items that need to be addressed to help strengthen the Tribe’s existing environmental work. The federal agency requested that certain items be modified so that it can complete its environmental review before issuing a FONSI for the development of a Mohawk casino.

Over the past month, the Tribe has been addressing each individual modification and anticipates that a revised Environmental Assessment will be submitted to the BIA within several weeks. The BIA will then conduct their final review of the improved EA prior to completion of taking land-in-trust for the Tribe at the Raceway site.








		PRESS RELEASE For immediate release: Ohiariha/ June1, 2006 For information contact: Brendan White Director of Public Information St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Tel: (518) 358-2272 ext. 236 Fax: (518) 358-9675 Governor Pataki Supports Mohawk Catskill Casino Urges BIA to Conduct Prompt Review of Modified Environmental Assessment AKWESASNE , NY — The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council received notification that New York State Governor George Pataki continues to support the Tribe's efforts to develop a Mohawk Class III casino at the Monticello Raceway in Sullivan County, New York. The Governor's Office also requested that the Bureau of Indian Affairs promptly notify them once the final review of the Tribe's revised Environmental Assessment (EA) has been satisfactorily completed. The Tribal Council is pleased that their effort to operate a Catskills casino has the continued support of Governor Pataki. They noted that it is evident to many supporters that a Mohawk casino will result in short and long-term economic benefits for everyone. The Governor's dream of a Catskills casino will be realized soon after the BIA issues a Finding Of No Sufficient Impact (FONSI) for the Tribe's modified EA and Pataki's written concurrence to the project's existing two-part determination. In a May 25, 2006 letter to George Skibine, Director of the BIA's Office of Indian Gaming Management, Gregory Allen, Senior Assistant Counsel to Governor Pataki, indicated that, "The Governor strongly supports the Tribe's efforts to build a casino at the raceway site." The letter continued and noted several environmental studies that have been submitted in support of the Tribe's project, including certain modifications that will be submitted. Allen urged the BIA to expedite its review of the modifications to the Tribe's Environmental Assessment that will be submitted later this month. He also asked that the BIA promptly notify the Governor's Office when the potential environmental impacts have been satisfactorily addressed. The request was made to help facilitate Pataki's review of the project's existing two-part determination that still requires the Governor's concurrence. In April 2006, the BIA provided the Tribal Council with a nine-point punch list of items that need to be addressed to help strengthen the Tribe’s existing environmental work. The federal agency requested that certain items be modified so that it can complete its environmental review before issuing a FONSI for the development of a Mohawk casino. Over the past month, the Tribe has been addressing each individual modification and anticipates that a revised Environmental Assessment will be submitted to the BIA within several weeks. The BIA will then conduct their final review of the improved EA prior to completion of taking land-in-trust for the Tribe at the Raceway site. --30-- The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.