Mashpee Wampanoag Forge Ahead in Massachusetts Casino Planning

BOSTON, Massachusetts -- As reported by the Cape Cod Times: "The state will not withdraw its negative comments on the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe's land trust application, but the tribe will forge
  ahead with the federal casino process.

"Tribe leaders met with representatives from Gov. Deval Patrick's administration yesterday to discuss potential Indian and commercial casinos.

"...Last month, the state filed a 79-page opposition letter to the tribe's request to put land in Middleboro and Mashpee into trust. The tribe failed to include adequate safeguards for environmental protection, zoning, transportation, labor, public safety, public health and consumer protection in its casino proposal, state officials said in the letter.

"Although some of the issues were addressed at yesterday's meeting, the state still needs more answers, state Economic Development Secretary Daniel O'Connell said at a press conference after the meeting.

"Tribal council chairman Shawn Hendricks said while he plans to continue to work with the state, he doesn't believe approval of the tribe's federal land trust application is contingent on the state comments being withdrawn..."