St. Regis Mohawk Tribe: News & Resources

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release:
Tsiothohrha/December 22, 2006

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

Department of Interior issues FONSI for
Monticello Casino Preoject
Mohawk Raceway Casino One Step Closer To Reality

AKWESASNE – The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe is extremely pleased to announce that James E. Cason, Associate Deputy Secretary of the Interior, has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Tribe’s proposed casino development in Sullivan County. The Tribal Council received the favorable notice late Thursday afternoon upon the completion of a thorough and exhaustive environmental review by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Interior Department. The issuance of the FONSI by the federal government represents formal notification to the Tribe that its proposed Monticello Raceway casino has cleared all federal environmental hurdles.

The Tribe, in support of its application to transfer 29.3 acres into trust for the purposes of developing and building a Class III gaming facility, conducted a full Environmental Assessment (EA) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. Based upon its review and approval of the Tribe’s EA, the Department of Interior has concluded that the environmental effects of the proposed casino project will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment and that an Environmental Impact Statement is not required.

“The Tribe is delighted to finally receive word that the Department has completed its review of our substantial environmental record and that this extremely important project can now continue to move forward,” said Tribal Chief Barbara A. Lazore. “The Tribe has put a great deal of effort and energy into this project and we will continue to work closely with the Governor’s Office and the Interior Department to ensure that the Mohawk Raceway Casino becomes a reality” she concluded. “As a final note, I would personally like to thank our partners, Empire Resorts, and Mr. Robert Berman for his commitment and perseverance to this endeavor over the past decade.”

The next step in the process is for Governor George Pataki to concur with the favorable Secretarial two-part determination originally issued in April 2000. Since that time, Governor Pataki has continuously expressed his strong support for the casino project and the Tribe anticipates his concurrence in the days to come.

“We are confident that Governor Pataki will join us in celebrating receipt of the FONSI and will move swiftly to secure the economic revitalization of the Catskills by and through the issuance of his immediate concurrence” said Tribal Chief Lorraine M. White. “As noted in the Department’s transmittal letter, tribal efforts to develop off reservation gaming projects is going to become increasingly more difficult if not impossible in the very near future. For these reasons, we call upon Governor Pataki and Governor-Elect Spitzer to act quickly in the best interests of the Mohawk people, the citizens of Sullivan County and the State of New York” she added.

The proposed Monticello casino site is adjacent to an existing gaming complex, the Monticello Raceway, which had been used for harness racing for more than 40 years and includes over 1,500 video lottery terminals. The project would involve construction of a spectacular 766,000 square foot two-story casino and entertainment complex featuring approximately 125 table games, 3,500 slot machines, 24 poker tables, and numerous food restaurant and retail venues.

“This project will revive the Catskills and provide greater opportunities for our tribal membership and for our respective surrounding and neighboring communities. It certainly will have a tremendous impact on our tribal efforts and ability to become financially independent and self-sufficient as originally intended by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act,” said Tribal Chief James W. Ransom. “The development of this project is a win-win for both the people of Akwesasne and the people of Sullivan County” he added.

Once the Governor provides his expected concurrence, the Tribe will immediately look to conclude an amendment to its existing gaming compact with specific application to the casino project in Sullivan County. Also, the Tribe will request that the Department of Interior finalize and approve the federal action to take the casino site land into trust for the benefit of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe.

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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: Tsiothohrha/December 22, 2006 For information contact: Public Information Office St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Tel: (518) 358-2272 ext. 236 Fax: (518) 358-9675 Department of Interior issues FONSI for Monticello Casino Preoject Mohawk Raceway Casino One Step Closer To Reality AKWESASNE – The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe is extremely pleased to announce that James E. Cason, Associate Deputy Secretary of the Interior, has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Tribe’s proposed casino development in Sullivan County. The Tribal Council received the favorable notice late Thursday afternoon upon the completion of a thorough and exhaustive environmental review by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Interior Department. The issuance of the FONSI by the federal government represents formal notification to the Tribe that its proposed Monticello Raceway casino has cleared all federal environmental hurdles. The Tribe, in support of its application to transfer 29.3 acres into trust for the purposes of developing and building a Class III gaming facility, conducted a full Environmental Assessment (EA) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. Based upon its review and approval of the Tribe’s EA, the Department of Interior has concluded that the environmental effects of the proposed casino project will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment and that an Environmental Impact Statement is not required. “The Tribe is delighted to finally receive word that the Department has completed its review of our substantial environmental record and that this extremely important project can now continue to move forward,” said Tribal Chief Barbara A. Lazore. “The Tribe has put a great deal of effort and energy into this project and we will continue to work closely with the Governor’s Office and the Interior Department to ensure that the Mohawk Raceway Casino becomes a reality” she concluded. “As a final note, I would personally like to thank our partners, Empire Resorts, and Mr. Robert Berman for his commitment and perseverance to this endeavor over the past decade.” The next step in the process is for Governor George Pataki to concur with the favorable Secretarial two-part determination originally issued in April 2000. Since that time, Governor Pataki has continuously expressed his strong support for the casino project and the Tribe anticipates his concurrence in the days to come. “We are confident that Governor Pataki will join us in celebrating receipt of the FONSI and will move swiftly to secure the economic revitalization of the Catskills by and through the issuance of his immediate concurrence” said Tribal Chief Lorraine M. White. “As noted in the Department’s transmittal letter, tribal efforts to develop off reservation gaming projects is going to become increasingly more difficult if not impossible in the very near future. For these reasons, we call upon Governor Pataki and Governor-Elect Spitzer to act quickly in the best interests of the Mohawk people, the citizens of Sullivan County and the State of New York” she added. The proposed Monticello casino site is adjacent to an existing gaming complex, the Monticello Raceway, which had been used for harness racing for more than 40 years and includes over 1,500 video lottery terminals. The project would involve construction of a spectacular 766,000 square foot two-story casino and entertainment complex featuring approximately 125 table games, 3,500 slot machines, 24 poker tables, and numerous food restaurant and retail venues. “This project will revive the Catskills and provide greater opportunities for our tribal membership and for our respective surrounding and neighboring communities. It certainly will have a tremendous impact on our tribal efforts and ability to become financially independent and self-sufficient as originally intended by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act,” said Tribal Chief James W. Ransom. “The development of this project is a win-win for both the people of Akwesasne and the people of Sullivan County” he added. Once the Governor provides his expected concurrence, the Tribe will immediately look to conclude an amendment to its existing gaming compact with specific application to the casino project in Sullivan County. Also, the Tribe will request that the Department of Interior finalize and approve the federal action to take the casino site land into trust for the benefit of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. --30-- The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.