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February 6, 2008

Gov. Patrick opposes Wampanoag's casino application

BOSTON -- Gov. Deval Patrick today formally opposed a plan by the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian tribe to build a $1 billion casino in Middleborough.

The tribe is applying to the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs to place more than 500 acres of land into trust, a key step in building a casino. The bureau had asked the Commonwealth to submit comments by today.

In a letter to the bureau, the administration said the tribe failed to provide the criteria required by the bureau's regulations. The administration also said the plan failed to adequately address issues surrounding environmental and consumer protection, zoning, transportation, labor, safety and public health.

"Because the placement of lands in trust may exempt certain activities on those lands from state and local laws, there are significant jurisdictional concerns at the state level," the letter said.

The administration also said the tribe's casino plan doesn't guarantee strict oversight of gaming activities by the state.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Jack Perry  at 1:58 PM | Permalink

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