The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs recently reopened the public comment period regarding the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians’ proposed casino in Muskegon, Fruitport Township, Michigan, according to a recent notice in the Federal Register. The $180 million project, the tribe’s second casino, would be built on 60 acres at the now-vacant former Great Lakes Downs racetrack and would offer 69,000 square feet of gaming with 1,700 slot machines and 35 table games, plus a 220-room hotel, conference and meeting space and dining and entertainment options. It would have 1,200 full-time employees.
The BIA released a draft environmental impact statement on the tribe’s land-trust application in November, which the tribe took to mean the project was moving forward after 11 years. But Little River Band Ogema Larry Romanelli said he believes the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe and the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians or Gun Lake Tribe—which all operate nearby casinos–are responsible for the delay.
Romanelli said, “They’ve known about this project. This is an attempt to slow down the process. We will prevail. I just think some of their actions are shameful.”
James Nye, a spokesman for the opposing tribes, said, “This is not an 11th hour objection, and Romanelli knows that. We’re trying to educate our employees that due to this proposed casino, there would be a substantial loss in our ability to provide jobs.” Nye added what’s “truly shameful” is the Little River Band’s attempt to open a casino that encroaches on other tribes’ territories and not on its own current reservation. “Of course we support one another doing gaming where our reservations are located. The Gun Lake Tribe supports what the Little River Band is doing in Manistee, but going 100 miles away is apples to oranges,” he said.
Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney did not give a reason for reopening the public comment period, which originally was scheduled to end on January 7. However, the recent government shutdown limited the ability of the BIA to accept and process comments. If the BIA approves the casino, Governor Gretchen Whitmer will have the final say. Romanelli said if the process moves smoothly, construction could take a year to a year and a half the casino could open as early as 2020.
