Tribe seeks federal jurisdiction

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Thursday, July 31, 2003 | 11:24 a.m.

ORANGEBURG, S.C. -- The Santee community won't get a multimillion-dollar bingo operation unless Congress places the Catawba Indian Nation under the federal Indian Gaming Regulation Act, the tribe's leader says.

Chief Gilbert Blue and others involved in the Catawba's proposal made the point Wednesday.

"We couldn't go to Santee" without the Indian Gaming Regulation Act because it would not be economically feasible, said Terry Collier of Southern Property Management, which assists in the tribe's economic development efforts.

Federal jurisdiction would free the tribe's Santee operation from restrictions the Catawbas agreed to in a 1993 agreement with the state, including a $100,000 limit on jackpots and a limit of 12 hours of operations per day.

Gov. Mark Sanford said Tuesday he opposes gaming act status for the Catawbas. He said he opposed ceding state authority to the federal government.

Republican Reps. Jim DeMint and Gresham Barrett also oppose the Catawbas' request.