Ojibwa II Casino gets federal approval

Wednesday, May 17, 2000 | 10:12 a.m.

Kevin Gover, assistant secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, the Department of the Interior, approved the casino near Harvey in a May 9 letter to Engler.

"I have determined that a gaming establishment on the 22.28 acre parcel of land located in Chocolay Township, Michigan, would be in the best interest of the Tribe and its members, and would not be detrimental to the surrounding community," Gover wrote. "Pursuant to Section 20 of (the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act), I seek your concurrence in this determination."

Tribal spokesman Rich Rossway said the decision is good news for the tribe.

"Obviously we're real pleased with the recommendation," Rossway told The Mining Journal for a story Tuesday. "We're certainly confident that the governor will give it every consideration."

The tribe is still waiting on a separate application with the BIA to move the Ojibwa II Casino operation to the former Marquette County Airport property in Negaunee Township.

The Chocolay casino has been open since 1994.

Under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 and the State Gaming Compact, casinos on land put into trust after 1988, when the federal act went into effect, must meet approval of the Interior Department and the governor.

Brian Steinhoff, Engler's deputy northern Michigan representative, said Engler just received the letter and would give it his "utmost attention."

Steinhoff said Engler's office has yet to receive from the BIA financial and commercial data he must review before making a decision.

The state and federal government had argued in U.S. District Court that the Chocolay casino was operating illegally. A U.S. Appeals Court agreed, but U.S. District Judge David W. McKeague has postponed a decision on whether to close the casino, pending the outcome of the tribe's application.

Rossway said that while the recent BIA support of the Chocolay casino is encouraging, the tribe is drawing no conclusions as to what or when the BIA will decide on the second application.