Towns push for freeze on gaming land trusts

Thursday, Aug. 8, 2002 | 10:57 a.m.

NORWICH, Conn. -- Leaders from 11 northeastern Connecticut towns who are concerned about more casino development are pushing for an immediate freeze on new land being placed into trust for gaming.

In a letter mailed Tuesday to U.S. Sens. Joseph Lieberman and Christopher Dodd, and U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, R-Conn., the Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments chairman said local towns need a time out to measure the impact of taking land into trust and the gaming that follows.

NECCOG director John Filchak said the issue is causing anxiety in the area, where people are learning more about the negative social and economic impacts of gaming, the Norwich Bulletin reported.

One Massachusetts-based Nipmuc tribe has expressed an interest in developing a casino over the border in Union. Another has put in a bid for federal recognition.

Simmons said he supports a moratorium on land being taken into trust by the federal government for later development of casinos.

Simmons is asking members of the council and legislators to focus their efforts on a presentation for a hearing of the Commission on Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C., this September.