St. Croix Reply Brief - July 15, 2009
July 1, 2009 Govt Brief
Appeals Court Decision 3-9-09
Feds Deny Application 01-13-09
Denial Letter 01-13-09
Congresswoman Baldwin Response
Opposition to BIA Guidance memo
- Chairperson Hindsley's written
testimony to the Committee
2-27-08
- Professor Washburn Testimony
2-27-08
Lawsuit Filed 12-07-07
- Lawsuit Text
Part 1 (PDF)
Part 2 (PDF)
Court Apperance 12-12-07
- Hearing Transcript 12-12-07
Lawsuit Ammended 01-10-08
Reply Brief 01-29-08
(includes BIA Indian Gaming Paper)
Feds Dismiss Complaint 06-28-07
- C Artman Letter to Ho-Chunk 06-26-07
Regional Approval 12-04-06
Notice of Intent 04-27-04
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 28, 2007
CONTACT: JOSEPH HUNT
FEDS DISMISS HO CHUNK PROTEST
BELOIT CASINO REVIEW TO PROCEED
The Bad River and St. Croix Chippewa Tribes of Wisconsin have received a copy of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) response to the Ho Chunk Nation protests concerning the recent approval at the Regional Office, of their Beloit Casino Project Trust Land Application.
The Ho Chunk Nation claimed, through a formal protest to the BIA and with a massive advertising and public relations campaign in Southeastern Wisconsin, that there are “fatal flaws” in the Chippewa’s Beloit Application because of “improper Agency review”. The Ho Chunk Nation demanded that the Beloit Casino Project Trust Land Application be sent back to the Midwest Regional Office of the BIA for compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). The BIA said they’re wrong.
In a letter dated June 26, 2007 from Assistant Secretary of Interior Carl Artman to Ho Chunk Nation Vice President Wade Blackdeer, Artman states, “the BIA has properly followed the required NHPA procedures, and that its Section 106 responsibilities have been fulfilled.” The letter further explains that consultations with the Ho Chunk Nation have been ongoing since July of 2000 and that three separate archeological surveys have all concluded that there are no tribal cultural resources at the proposed casino site.
“This decision is long overdue”, stated Bad River Chippewa Chairman Eugene Bigboy, this was an unsubstantiated claim and we are glad that we can get back to completing the process required for approval of our application.” He continued, “When the Ho Chunk
Nation approached us in December and asked to become 1/3 partners in the Beloit Project, we had no idea that our January approval would lead to five months of negative ads on radio and TV by the Ho Chunk Nation.” “Their objections were really about competition. I just hope we can move forward now and these ads can stop.”
Chairwoman Hazel Hindsley of the St. Croix Chippewa added, “We were invited to Beloit.” “The Chippewa history in that area is clearly documented.” She explained, “The Beloit Casino Project is about communities helping each other just as Wisconsin Tribes should be helping each other - I believe that we should be focusing on our mutual Tribal needs.” “We have been following the rules set forth in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and all we’ve ever asked for is fair consideration.”
The Application currently resides in the offices of George Skibine, Director of Indian Gaming Management in Washington D.C. where it is undergoing final Agency review. There has been no indication as to how much longer that process will take.
The proposed casino site is located on 59 acres of land near Interstate 90 in the city of Beloit. 26 acres of the land would be put in trust. The two tribes are proposing to construct a casino, hotel, convention center, theater, and water park at the site. When complete the project will provide 3000 jobs. Full details on the project are available online at beloitcasinoproject.com.
All project related inquiries should be routed through the Casino Project Information Offices at the address below in Beloit.