MOHAWK TRIBE, SULLIVAN COUNTY CALL
ON GOVERNOR TO SIGN LETTER
OF CONCURRENCE

Signature Is Final Step In Approval Process For Casino At Monticello Raceway

 AKWESASNE, NY — St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Chiefs Barbara A. Lazore and Lorraine M. White, along with leaders from Sullivan County, today urged New York State Governor George Pataki to take the last step needed for the Tribe to construct a gaming facility at the Monticello Raceway in Sullivan County, which would bring economic stability to the Mohawk Tribe and finally deliver the promised jobs and opportunities to residents throughout the Catskills region.

Chief Lazore and Chief White called on the Governor to sign a “Letter of Concurrence” ― the last step in the United States Department of Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) approval process needed for the Tribe to go forward with a gaming facility at the Raceway. In the letter, which  Governor Pataki previously indicated he was prepared to sign, the State would formally concur with the BIA's "two-part determination" finding in April 2000 that the Mohawk's proposed facility at the Raceway would be beneficial to the long-term future of the Tribe as well as the economic growth of the Catskills region.

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

In its first ten years of operation, the gaming facility is expected to generate over $1 billion directly to the State and an additional $105 million for Sullivan County .  Every year, the State would receive tens of millions of dollars and the County would gain an additional $15 million in income that it can devote to its residents. In addition, it will help keep the more than $3 billion of New York residents’ money that is gambled annually in Atlantic City and Connecticut from going out-of-State.

The Mohawk’s proposed facility will be home to new restaurants, a food court, nightlife entertainment facilities and retail stores.  The facility will generate an estimated 5,000 permanent full-time jobs and an additional 2,650 direct construction related-jobs and 2,920 indirect construction related-jobs. It will also build a stronger tourism industry in the Catskills with an estimated 6.6 million visitors expected in the first twelve months of operation. All this activity will boost the local economy and spur new private-sector investments in Sullivan County . 

Chief Lazore said, “The Mohawk Tribe has come full circle and is ready to build a world-class gaming facility at Monticello Raceway, as we had originally planned in 2000. We have conducted thorough research and undergone careful deliberation on the best site for our Catskill casino, and firmly believe the racetrack is the right choice. We are confident that building at the Raceway will provide for the long-term welfare of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, while bringing thousands of jobs and economic opportunities to the people of Sullivan County . We call on the Governor to immediately approve this project so we can deliver economic stability and jobs for all of our people.”

In addition to receiving the BIA's coveted and rarely issued two-part determination approval, the Mohawk's proposed facility has already successfully completed a comprehensive environmental review. The Tribe submitted an Environmental Assessment in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which included a full Environmental Impact Statement under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). These studies were updated as recently as 2004 when the lead state and federal agencies reaffirmed their findings that the project will not have a significant negative impact on the environment.

Studies prepared in advance of a Catskill casino have revealed that Sullivan County ’s existing infrastructure can handle the Mohawk's proposed gaming facility and that there will be no adverse impacts on traffic and other municipal services. The Monticello Raceway is adjacent to Route 17, which is scheduled to become Interstate 86, and has already been allocated municipal water and sewer resources from existing capacities at Monticello 's utility plants that will meet the facility’s requirements. The local power utility company has also made substantial upgrades to the Raceway's power grid that will address the power needs of the proposed facility.  

After BIA approval was received in 2000, the Tribe pursued another gaming project with Park Place Entertainment, which has since merged with Harrah's Entertainment. This July, Chief Lazore and Chief White notified Harrah's that the Mohawk Tribe was renewing its original partnership with Empire Resorts and its proposal for a gaming facility at Monticello Raceway.  In August, the Tribe sent a letter to Governor Pataki asking for his concurrence based on the 2000 federal approval of the Raceway project. 

Chief White said, “We have done our part and worked in good faith with the State. We now ask the Governor to keep his word to the Mohawk Tribe and to the people of Sullivan County . In October 2001, the State Legislature authorized the Governor to negotiate compacts for tribal gaming facilities in the Catskills. The Mohawk project already has federal approval, is unaffected by the Sherrill or Cayuga court rulings and does not require additional approval by the Legislature or Congress. We are asking for the Governor’s immediate cooperation to avoid any unnecessary delays. The Mohawks have all resources in place to make a Catskill casino a reality.”

Town of Thompson Supervisor Anthony Cellini said, “The decision by the Mohawk Tribe to come back to the Raceway is a significant milestone that will bring much-needed jobs and renewed hope to our communities. The Tribe and the people of Sullivan County are united in our commitment to move forward on the Mohawk Casino at the Monticello Raceway. We've waited long enough. We waited many years and now must seize this opportunity without further delay. The Governor must deliver on his promise to bring economic vitality to the Catskills.”

Chief White said, “The Tribe continues to support the land claim settlement it signed with the State and urges the Senate to bring this matter to a full vote. There is no reason to delay a settlement that resolves decades of disputes between our two nations and allows us to move together into the future with mutual respect. While we urge action on the settlement agreement, we remind the Governor that Senate inaction is no excuse to delay his concurrence. The Senate’s role in this process can come after his signature. 

The Governor has an opportunity to prove he is a leader by making a decision that is in the best interest of his constituents. He can act now to complete the land into trust process and sign a gaming compact that he has the authority to do today.  We need to move forward together.”

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