The decision was discussed at a meeting between tribal representatives and Clay County commissioners on October 13 (Clay County photo)
A Native American tribe planning to build a casino in Minnesota has reduced its land request from nearly 300 acres to 80 acres after local officials raised concerns about drinking water, traffic and taxes.
The White Earth Nation had initially planned to seek federal trust status for approximately 297 acres in Clay County. However, the tribe has now decided to seek approval for a much smaller area. The casino still needs federal approval and the agreement of Minnesota's governor before the project can move forward.The decision was discussed at a meeting between tribal representatives and Clay County commissioners on October 13.
Local officials wanted to know how the proposed casino would affect nearby communities, including whether it would increase traffic, put pressure on public services or reduce local tax revenue.The proposed site is in Glyndon Township, near Highway 336 and County Road 74. According to Tribal Business News and The Flag, the tribe has already carried out studies to examine whether a casino would be practical at the location.
However, questions remain about the final building plans, road access, and possible effects on the environment. The tribe has not yet submitted its application to the federal government.
Why are local officials worried ?
One of the main concerns is the possible effect on the Buffalo Aquifer, an underground source of water that supplies drinking water to Moorhead residents.During the meeting, Commissioner Campbell questioned whether construction and other activities at the site could affect this water supply.
He asked for more information about the studies conducted on the land before the county considers supporting the project.Officials are also worried about traffic. A casino could bring more vehicles onto Highway 336 and County Road 74, raising questions about whether the existing roads would be able to handle them.Commissioners said the area might need major road improvements. The tribe acknowledged that more studies and discussions would be needed to understand the possible costs.Taxes are another concern. The tribe wants the federal government to hold the land in trust on its behalf. If approved, the land would no longer be subject to ordinary local property taxes.This has raised questions about how the county would pay for public services connected to the development. Officials want to know whether the casino would create additional costs for roads, water supply, emergency services and other facilities.
Why did the tribe reduce its land request?
Nate Matthews, special projects manager for the tribe, explained that the smaller proposal was intended to address concerns about placing such a large area under federal trust.He also said the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the federal agency involved in the process, had recommended seeking approval only for land needed for the casino and possible future expansion.The tribe has shared an early plan showing a casino, parking spaces, a possible campground and areas for other businesses.However, commissioners questioned why the tribe needed 80 acres when an earlier drawing appeared to show a smaller development.Matthews explained that the design was not final and could change. The tribe has also not decided exactly how the 80 acres would be arranged. The smaller land request therefore does not mean that all concerns have been resolved.
Casino could take until 2028 to receive approval
Before the casino can be built, the tribe must complete a federal approval process known as a two-part secretarial determination.Under this process, federal authorities must approve the proposal, and Minnesota's governor must also agree. The tribe cannot begin building a casino on the land simply because it has reduced the size of its request.Jacob Severson, who handles land purchases and trust applications for the tribe, explained that the process involves several stages.Once the application is submitted, federal officials have 120 days to check whether all the required documents have been provided.The government would then carry out further reviews, including examining the possible environmental effects and consulting local authorities.The full process could take between 18 and 36 months, depending on how much additional information is needed."So, the best case, absolute best case scenario would be 2028 sometime, likely towards the end of 2028," Severson told commissioners.
What happens next?
The White Earth Nation has already completed several studies, including an assessment of whether the casino could be financially successful.
It has also examined soil conditions and carried out preliminary environmental work.The next steps include sharing information about underground water with Moorhead Public Service and continuing studies on traffic, roads, water and sewer connections.The tribe has also suggested forming a group with representatives from Clay County, Moorhead and other local authorities. The aim would be to discuss how the casino could affect public services and who would pay for any additional costs.One possibility being discussed is that the tribe could make payments to local governments to help cover services, even though land held in federal trust would not be subject to ordinary property taxes.White Earth Nation Chairman Michael Fairbanks has said the casino project is intended to create jobs, support healthcare and bring investment to the region."Economic development not only brings jobs and healthcare, it strengthens the whole area," Fairbanks told commissioners.