TRIBE ANNOUNCES NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR MOHAWK MONTICELLO RACEWAY PROJECT

Akwesasne – The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is pleased to announce that it has been notified by the Bureau of Indian of Affairs (BIA) notify that the Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment for the Mohawk Monticello Raceway Casino Project will be available for public review beginning today September 12, 2006 in Monticello, New York.   

“I am extremely excited about the federal notification as it represents yet another milestone achieved by the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe in our longstanding efforts to bring a world-class Mohawk casino to Sullivan County” said Tribal Chief Barbara Lazore, “This project will provide the Tribe with a steady and continued revenue source that will enable us to accomplish our long term goals of self-determination.”

The Tribe initially submitted an updated Environmental Assessment for the Monticello Raceway Project to the Interior Department in September 2005 and has undergone three additional revisions prior to the recent issuance of the Notice of Availability by the BIA. The Environmental Assessment will be available for public review at the Village of Monticello Clerk ’s Office and the Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library also located in Monticello , N.Y. for a thirty (30) day period. In the event that no further information or analysis is required at the conclusion of the thirty day comment period, the Bureau of Indian Affairs is expected to issue a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).  

“The great news received from the Bureau of Indian Affairs moves the Tribe one step closer to receiving a Finding of No Significant Impact for the Mohawk Monticello Raceway Project,” said Tribal Chief Lorraine M. White, “Once the FONSI is issued, we look forward to receiving Governor Pataki’s concurrence and finally placing a shovel in the ground. We sincerely hope that these final steps can be accomplished without any further delays.” Chief White added

The proposed two level facility is approximately 583,000 square feet and will consist of 200,000 square feet of gaming floor including 3,500 slot machines and 125 table games. Amenities shall include numerous restaurants, a food court, nightlife entertainment facilities and retail stores. The project will generate approximately 3,000 permanent full-time jobs. The Monticello Raceway Casino is anticipating six million visitors and patrons in its first year of operation. 

 The proposed project will significantly improve the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s long term economic condition through the development of a sustainable source of revenue and employment. The proposed generated revenue from this project will further assist the Tribe in its efforts to become self-sufficient, creating monies for much needed programs and services such as housing, health care, and education.  

The gaming facility at the Monticello Raceway will spur greater economic development in the Catskills and generate much needed revenue for Sullivan County and the State of New York . It will provide the County and the State with a reliable and foreseeable revenue source to plan for the delivery of essential government services and will decrease the tax burdens on local residents.

“The Notice of Availability marks the continued progress of the Mohawk Monticello Casino Project and the Tribe’s potential ability to bring 3,000 new permanent jobs into the Catskills region. We look forward to working closely with our friends in Sullivan County and Albany to secure the final necessary approvals for this exciting project.” concluded Tribal Chief James W. Ransom.

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