The Bureau of Indian Affairs recently held a public hearing on an Environmental Impact Statement regarding the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians’ proposed 0 million, off-reservation casino near Muskegon in Fruitport Township, Michigan. The tribe currently operates a casino near Manistee. The project has the support of Fruitport Township, Muskegon County, Whitehall Township, Norton Shores, Muskegon Township, North Muskegon, Egelston Township and Moorland Township.
But James Nye, spokesman for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, which operates the Soaring Eagle Casino and Saganing Eagles Landing Casino 100 miles away in Mount Pleasant, said in a statement, “The Congress made clear in 1994 upon passage of Little River’s recognition act that the proper territory for it to obtain trust lands is limited to Manistee and Mason counties. There were arguments made at that time for extending the territory to Muskegon, which Congress flatly rejected.” Nye dropped hints the Saginaw tribe could take legal action to stop the Little River Band’s proposed casino.
Tribal Ogema Larry Romanelli said, “I’m not sure where Nye’s comments are coming from, or why. It appears to be about competition. Saginaw Chips are known for opposing other casinos on a regular basis. We must be making some headway. We have every right to do what we’re doing. We have every reason to be in the area.”
The tribe is seeking to return to its native lands after leaving 150 years ago. A recent tribal census found 662 members live in Muskegon and 415 reside in Manistee and 139 in Mason County. In 1999, the tribe opened the Little River Casino Resort on restored lands that are now part of the tribal reservation in Manistee. Casino income provides social services and mortgage assistance for members. However, a tribal report noted said, “Over time, as Michigan tribes have expanded the reach of their gaming facilities, with half of Michigan tribes operating more than one casino, competition has eroded LRBOI’s income. As a consequence, the tribe’s ability to service the needs of its members has decreased, particularly for the majority of members who do not live in the immediate vicinity of the tribe’s Manistee lands.”
The study said, “LRBOI has significant and growing unmet needs. Acquisition of the property, and the construction and operation of the proposed project, however, would enable the tribe to address those needs, to overcome the legacy of de facto termination and to attain true self-sufficiency.” In a letter to Interior Department Secretary Sally Jewel, tribal leaders wrote, “We look forward to the approval of this consolidated request, so that our tribe may realize an opportunity to better provide for our membership in and around Muskegon, Michigan, an area of historic importance to our tribe, and where many of our descendants continue to live today.”
The study also indicated the proposed casino on the 60-acre Great Lakes Downs racetrack site would be located within a 30 minute drive from 240,000 people, and two hours from 2.5 million. Gun Lake Casino and Resort, the closest tribal casino, would be a one-hour drive away.
Although a 220-room hotel is part of the project, the study stated, “In this market we have projected that the vast majority of the demand would come from the Primary and Grand Rapids market areas. The average travel time would therefore be relatively short so the majority of visitors would not have an incentive to stay overnight.”
The proposal includes a 69,000 square foot gaming floor with 1,700 slots and 35 table games. Dining options include a buffet, specialty restaurant, sports bar, 24-hour café and food court, plus a 955-space parking garage and 955-space parking lot.
