The five-member board of commissioners in Otter Tail County, Minnesota recently unanimously voted to require the White Earth Band of Chippewa Indians to provide an environmental impact statement on the tribe’s proposal to build a 270-acre casino resort on Star Lake. The vote is a victory for residents who were concerned about the sensitive environment at Star Lake. Ty Dayton of the Star Lake Concerned Citizens Group said, “This is a good first step. I commend the commissioners for unanimously voting for an EIS.” Previously the tribe submitted a voluntary environmental assessment worksheet.
The next step will be to determine the scope of the EIS. Opponents want it as broad as possible and supporters will try to keep it narrow. “We would prefer it be very broad and very deep,” Dayton said. Tribal attorney Joe Plummer said the tribe was willing to “consent to a voluntary EIS” on eight concerns listed by consultant Larry Kramka of Twin Cities-based Houston Engineering. Otter Tail County attorney Dave Hauser said the scope of the EIS will be determined by the board, the tribe and public input.
Kramka’s list of potentially significant impacts included boating, land use, wetland loss, habitat effects on the lake, wastewater treatment, groundwater, traffic and social effects. He recommended an EIS but some board members and others felt his list of potential impacts came up short. For example, Kramka said he saw no potential for significant environmental impact from increased traffic to the new casino. He also stated a casino would not affect boating on Star Lake. However, board chairman Doug Huebsch said he got stuck in a two-hour traffic jam while going to a concert at Treasure Island Casino south of the Twin Cities. “I picture myself trying to get to my lake place and sitting in a traffic jam for two hours. I don’t agree that boating and traffic shouldn’t be included in an EIS,” Huebsch said.
