Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Leaders Plan To Start Mass. Casino Construction In 2016
MASHPEE, Mass. (CBS/AP) — Tribal leaders say the Mashpee Wampanoag will begin construction of a $500 million resort casino in Taunton next spring.
Chairman Cedric Cromwell and other officials of the Cape Cod-based tribe spoke Saturday about the federal government's approval of their request to place land in trust for the tribe.
Cromwell said it's an historic moment and the tribe intends to make it "mutually beneficial" to all Massachusetts residents.
"We are going to work with Taunton and we are going to build a world-class, superstar, destination resort casino," he said.
Mashpee Town Manager Rodney Collins says "Never have the words been more powerful: this land is your land."
The Cape Cod Times reports tribe attorney Arlinda Locklear acknowledged opponents say they intend to challenge the move, but said they are unlikely to succeed.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs on Friday approved the tribe's application to hold over 300 acres in Taunton and Mashpee in trust.
The tribe says it's a crucial hurdle toward opening a resort casino without state approval.
But lawyer Jonathan Witten says there could be a challenge because a Supreme Court decision, the so-called "Carcieri ruling," says only tribes recognized before 1934 are eligible to be placed in trust. The Wompanoag's were not recognized until 2007.
It's unclear if the decision by the Bureau of Indian Affairs will be challenged in court.
The Mashpee lands are for tribal government administration.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Art Cohen reports:
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