The Star Lake Concerned Citizens Group met earlier this month to discuss options regarding the White Earth Nation’s plans to build a casino on trust land it owns on Star Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. The tribe, which owns the Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen and will open its second Shooting Star casino soon in Bagley, would begin construction of the Star Lake casino next year. Plans include a casino with slot machines and table games, a ballroom, buffet, bar and grill, gift shop, deli, hotel and RV park. Tribal officials said the Star Lake casino will help fund educational, health, welfare and environmental services for the tribe, create jobs for tribal members and others and boost the tribal and regional economy.
Ty Dayton of the Star Lake Concerned Citizens Group told meeting attendees the Star Lake casino “is not a done deal. There are still some things we can do to have an impact on this proposed development.” Dayton said the time to speak out against the casino is now, prior to groundbreaking. He said, “It is one of our primary goals to make sure we are trying our best to ensure the process is escalated to an environmental impact statement.”
Dayton noted representatives of the citizens’ group met with Star Lake property owners and the Dead Lake owner association board for their input on the casino’s impact on the environment and lake life. “Our mission statement is to protect, preserve and enhance the environment,” Dayton said.
He stated various factors possibly could stop the casino, including its potential threat to wild rice beds and vital ecosystems. He added the area’s wetlands fall under the protection of the Department of Natural Resources and therefore should be removed from the trust land.
Dayton acknowledged a major challenge the group faces is that the tribe operates as a sovereign nation. As a result, people may believe they have no choice but to accept the casino, Dayton said. He urged residents to contact county, state and federal agencies to express their concerns over the casino.
