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New York Governor's Casino Plan Gets Mixed Reactions

ALBANY, New York – As reported by the Albany Times-Union: "Gov. George Pataki's plan for five Catskills casinos was lauded and attacked with equal fervor Monday as the governor disclosed he wants the federal government to require a broader analysis of potential effects of the huge projects.

"In the first of six planned legislative hearings into Pataki's bill to settle American Indian land claims, Lynnette Stark, deputy commissioner with the Department of Environmental Conservation, revealed Pataki has written to the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, asking it to require environmental impact statements that assess the cumulative effects of the five casinos proposed for Sullivan County.

"…The governor's call for an impact analysis of five casinos complied with a key demand of many Catskills casino opponents.

"Mohawk Chief James Ransom, who called the casino deal a 'win/win,' said Pataki's new demands could add $700,000 to his tribe's expenses. The tribe, he said, has already spent $7 million on its environmental impact statement, and no further documentation was deemed necessary by the federal government.

"…The invitation-only list of speakers limited critical voices to four representatives of the Catholic Conference, a group of Sullivan County residents, the convenience store lobby and the Council on Problem Gambling.

"…Representatives of tribes that would benefit from the governor's bill, union and labor groups, and Sullivan County business interests also hailed Pataki's plan, which must clear both the state Legislature and Congress…"

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