WASHINGTON - Expressing his concerns as Michigan legislators are considering a measure that could lead to a tribal casino in Allegan County, Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers Wednesday sent a letter to U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton urging her to review the entire issue.

“I am very concerned about the proliferation of gambling casinos in Michigan and the effect they have not only on the local communities but on the Native American groups as well,” Ehlers wrote. “It is my observation that casinos contribute to social decay, invite vice crime and prey upon those who can least afford it.”

The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, also known as the Gun Lake Band, is seeking to establish a casino in Wayland Township in Allegan County, just a few miles outside Ehlers’ Third Congressional District. The band received federal recognition as a sovereign Indian nation in 1999.

Ehlers said he has received many comments from constituents and other West Michigan residents in opposition to the proposal. He said he is concerned that the Michigan Legislature is considering a last-minute proposal that would encourage out-going Gov. John Engler to negotiate a compact with the band to allow the casino to be built. The Michigan House of Representatives approved the measure Tuesday evening.

Ehlers noted that the federal government must still approve a land transfer to the tribe to make the casino a reality, while the Michigan Supreme Court is considering a case assessing the validity of state-tribe gaming compacts.

Ehlers said he believes encouraging Native American groups to use gambling as a solution to their social and economic problems is shortsighted and often does not benefit those who truly need assistance.

“While these casinos do benefit the tribes or bands under whose guise they are constructed, they do not aid the socio-economic status of most Native Americans, particularly those groups who are unable to construct a casino,” Ehlers wrote. “This is abundantly clear in tribal nations in the West, and I am concerned about this trend continuing in Native American communities in Michigan as well.”

A complete text of Congressman Ehlers’ letter to Secretary Norton follows this release.

I am writing to express my strong concern over the possible grant of land into trust for an Indian Tribal Nation near my district.

The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, also known as the Gun Lake Band, is seeking land into trust for the purpose of constructing a gambling casino in Allegan County, Michigan. The site of the proposed casino is in Wayland Township, only a few miles outside of my district, so I have taken a great interest in the casino and the detriment it will cause to citizens in my district and in West Michigan generally.

I am very concerned about the proliferation of gambling casinos in Michigan and the effect they have not only on the local communities but on the Native American groups as well. It is my observation that casinos contribute to social decay, invite vice crime, and prey upon those who can least afford it. I have heard many comments from area residents about these problems and others. I urge you to consider these ramifications of granting land into trust for constructing a gambling casino.

In addition, I understand that the application for land into trust involves an environmental assessment, including the potential social and economic impacts on the area. The assessment submitted by the Gun Lake Band was published for comment on November 26, 2002. Please review these materials closely and deliberately and take the time that is necessary for reception of public comment and a thorough analysis. Moreover, an assessment of the local zoning laws and the desires of the local community must also be considered. Too often, these types of casino proposals have evaded local zoning ordinances and other urban planning regulations and designs.

Finally, I note that the legal standing of the state-tribal gaming compact between the Gun Lake Band and the state of Michigan is not yet settled. The Michigan state legislature is considering the issue, but with the end of the legislative year quickly approaching and the election of a new governor, the situation remains unresolved. Moreover, a court case assessing the validity of such compacts is still pending before the Michigan Supreme Court, and the grant of land into trust would prematurely bypass the judicial system and unnecessarily interfere with the legal status of this situation.

On a more general note, I should point out that this proposition is another unfortunate instance of the poor system that has developed for interacting with the Native American tribes and population. While these casinos do benefit the tribes or bands under whose guise they are constructed, they do not aid the socio-economic status of most Native Americans, particularly those groups who are unable to construct a casino. This is abundantly clear in tribal nations in the West, and I am concerned about this trend continuing in Native American communities in Michigan as well. I am dedicated to working with other members of Congress in the coming year on finding reasonable and pragmatic solutions to this pervasive problem. I would certainly appreciate your cooperation and input as we study and address this issue.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. With best wishes, I am

Sincerely,

Vernon J. Ehlers Member of Congress

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