Monticello - Progress Made in Catskill Casino Project

Monticello - The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe believes its plan to build a casino at the Monticello Raceway is one step closer to reality. The Tribal Council reports that Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Indian Affairs has sent a letter to New York Gov. George Pataki that addresses some concerns the governor had last month about the tribe’s plans before the Bureau.

“The Tribal Council is confident that the department has responded adequately and affirmatively to Gov. Pataki and that the Tribe’s development of a casino project in Sullivan County has moved one step closer to reality,” Saint Regis Mohawk tribal chief Lorraine M. White says. Tribal Council leaders also note that the letter puts a time frame of January 2006 for the department to complete its review and issue a determination on the tribe’s environmental submissions and whether they satisfy the National Environmental Policy Act.

"In light of this commitment, we again ask the governor to support our efforts to develop a casino in Sullivan County and to issue his immediate concurrence.” White said.