Patrick opposes tribe plan for land trust for Middleborough casino

February 6, 2008 01:54 PM Email| Comments (0)| Text size – +

By Globe Staff

Governor Deval Patrick came out today against a plan by the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe to place more than 500 acres of land in Middleborough into trust to build a resort casino. The administration said in a letter to the Bureau of Indian Affairs that it was concerned that the federal land trust would exempt the tribe from zoning and environmental regulations and other state laws.

While Patrick is supportive of tribal gaming, the administration said the application submitted by the Mashpee Wampanoag did not include enough safeguards to protect the state.

“Because the placement of lands in trust may exempt certain activities on those lands from state and local laws, there are significant jurisdictional concerns at the state level which, unless resolved, should preclude the BIA from recommending approval of the tribe’s proposed acquisition,” the letter states, according to a copy provided by the Patrick administration.

The letter also raised issues about the impact a resort casino would have on traffic and transportation, public safety, and public health. The state would also want to retain some jurisdiction over labor and employment issues, including wages, benefits, and health and safety programs for employees.

The federal government gave the state until today to respond to the Mashpee Wampanoag trust application. The tribe will have an opportunity to respond to the administration’s concerns.

Patrick’s proposal to license three casinos in Massachusetts includes a provision that would be weighted in favor of at least one tribal gaming facility. However, Patrick wants the casinos to be licensed through the state -- not the federal government.