St. Regis Mohawk Tribe: News & Resources

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release:
Ohiariha/ June 15, 2006

For information contact:
Brendan White
Director of Public Information
St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
Tel: (518) 358-2272 ext. 236
Fax: (518) 358-9675

SULLIVAN COUNTY LEGISLATURE AND
ST. REGIS MOHAWK TRIBE EXECUTE MITIGATION AGREEMENT
Tribe and County Enter into Agreement that Advances Plans for Casino 90 Miles Northwest of New York City

Monticello , N.Y., June 15, 2006 – The Sullivan County Legislature passed a resolution today approving a local mitigation agreement between the County and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. This agreement will help pave the way for a $600 million Native American Casino located 90 minutes northwest of New York City . The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council had also approved this agreement through a resolution on June 12, 2006 .

Chief Barbara Lazore, one of three tribal chiefs of the St. Regis Mohawks, said, “This is a positive development that will help move the entire process towards a successful final conclusion. The action taken today by the members of the Sullivan County Legislature begins a historic partnership between the St. Regis Mohawks and the County of Sullivan . The opportunity to bring a Native American Class III gaming operation to Monticello Raceway will mean positive economic development for the members of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and the people of Sullivan County .”

Sullivan County Legislator Jonathan Rouis, who also serves as Chair of the Sullivan County Gaming Committee, commented, “The St. Regis Mohawk leadership understood our desire to proactively mitigate any potential impacts of the project. They worked closely with us to address these concerns and that is reflected in the agreement approved by the Legislature.”

This agreement stipulates that the Tribe will make annual payments of $15 million dollars to the County to mitigate potential impacts of their proposed Class III casino at Monticello Raceway. The Mohawk’s world-class $600 million casino in the Catskills will feature a 160,000 square foot casino, 3,500 slot machines and 125 table games.

Sam Wohl, Sullivan County Legislator and Chair of the Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency, added, “The St. Regis Mohawks will become a big player in our local economy. The positive economic spin-off from this casino will translate into new job opportunities for our residents, increased local commerce and a jump-start to our tourism industry.”

Sullivan County Legislady Leni Binder, who sponsored the resolution, said, “I am very pleased with this agreement. Casinos were on my original platform when the Legislature was first created. This is the best agreement we have had, and the sooner it is implemented, the better for the economy of the county.”

St. Regis Mohawk Chief Lorraine M. White said, “The interests of the residents of Sullivan County were well-represented by the leadership of Legislator Rouis and Legislator Wohl. Their negotiations enabled the county to support and highlight the positive aspects of our project to their community, while still protecting the quality-of-life in Sullivan County . We look forward to continuing our positive relationship with the County and becoming an active part of the Sullivan County community.”

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The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.








		PRESS RELEASE For immediate release: Ohiariha/ June 15, 2006 For information contact: Brendan White Director of Public Information St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Tel: (518) 358-2272 ext. 236 Fax: (518) 358-9675 SULLIVAN COUNTY LEGISLATURE AND ST. REGIS MOHAWK TRIBE EXECUTE MITIGATION AGREEMENT Tribe and County Enter into Agreement that Advances Plans for Casino 90 Miles Northwest of New York City Monticello , N.Y., June 15, 2006 – The Sullivan County Legislature passed a resolution today approving a local mitigation agreement between the County and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. This agreement will help pave the way for a $600 million Native American Casino located 90 minutes northwest of New York City . The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council had also approved this agreement through a resolution on June 12, 2006 . Chief Barbara Lazore, one of three tribal chiefs of the St. Regis Mohawks, said, “This is a positive development that will help move the entire process towards a successful final conclusion. The action taken today by the members of the Sullivan County Legislature begins a historic partnership between the St. Regis Mohawks and the County of Sullivan . The opportunity to bring a Native American Class III gaming operation to Monticello Raceway will mean positive economic development for the members of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and the people of Sullivan County .” Sullivan County Legislator Jonathan Rouis, who also serves as Chair of the Sullivan County Gaming Committee, commented, “The St. Regis Mohawk leadership understood our desire to proactively mitigate any potential impacts of the project. They worked closely with us to address these concerns and that is reflected in the agreement approved by the Legislature.” This agreement stipulates that the Tribe will make annual payments of $15 million dollars to the County to mitigate potential impacts of their proposed Class III casino at Monticello Raceway. The Mohawk’s world-class $600 million casino in the Catskills will feature a 160,000 square foot casino, 3,500 slot machines and 125 table games. Sam Wohl, Sullivan County Legislator and Chair of the Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency, added, “The St. Regis Mohawks will become a big player in our local economy. The positive economic spin-off from this casino will translate into new job opportunities for our residents, increased local commerce and a jump-start to our tourism industry.” Sullivan County Legislady Leni Binder, who sponsored the resolution, said, “I am very pleased with this agreement. Casinos were on my original platform when the Legislature was first created. This is the best agreement we have had, and the sooner it is implemented, the better for the economy of the county.” St. Regis Mohawk Chief Lorraine M. White said, “The interests of the residents of Sullivan County were well-represented by the leadership of Legislator Rouis and Legislator Wohl. Their negotiations enabled the county to support and highlight the positive aspects of our project to their community, while still protecting the quality-of-life in Sullivan County . We look forward to continuing our positive relationship with the County and becoming an active part of the Sullivan County community.” --30-- The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.