...gaming company Empire Resorts, Inc., and the Mohawk Tribe now have a “roadmap” for moving forward on a planned, $500 million casino in the Catskills Mountains, the company tells OnlineCasinoCrawler.com

Empire Resorts, owner of the raceway, said that the necessary additions to the track's environmental assessment were already underway, although no time frame was given for resubmission to the U.S. Department of the Interior, said Charlie Degliomini, vice president of Empire Resorts.

Degliomini told a reporter that the review identified certain items in the environmental assessment that need to be enhanced.  Once such concerns are addressed, a final modified environmental assessment will be submitted to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for review and approval.  “It is mainly ministerial type things; it is nothing that we deem to be very, very troublesome to the project,” said Degliomini. “The project team will put together an expeditious response,” he said.

Empire already operates the Monticello Raceway, and is involved in the development of other legal gaming venues throughout the U.S. Empire opened “Mighty M Gaming” at the Raceway nearly two years ago, on June 30, 2004. That facility features over 1,500 video gaming machines and dining and entertainment areas.

The company’s revenues continue to grow. Net revenue for the fourth quarter of 2005 was $22.5 million, up 25 percent from the $17.9 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2004. Revenue from racing increased by approximately $1.8 million, or 54.0 percent, while revenue from the company's video gaming machine (VGM) operations rose by approximately $2.7 million, or 19.7 percent. The growth in racing revenue was a result of higher revenue allocations from off-track betting facilities.

For the full fiscal year, Empire reported net revenue of $86.8 million versus $45.0 million in 2004, reflecting the impact of the video gaming business, which began in June, 2004, the company, said.

David Hanlon, CEO and president, of Empire, said that the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe will implement the proposed changes to the environmental impact statement by the BIA.  “We look forward to discussions with the BIA and moving forward with our plans to bring a world-class Native American casino to the Catskills,” said Hanlon.

The project is worth $500 million, and is considered a "Class III" Native American casino and resort, and is to be located on a site adjacent to the raceway.

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"The list of items from the Department of the Interior is consistent with our expectations and provides a definitive roadmap for moving forward with the environmental assessment. We have already begun work on all remaining items - such that we can obtain a modified EA as soon as possible,” said Hanlon.
The BIA has responsibility in the administration and management of 55.7 million acres of land held in trust by the United States for American Indians, Indian tribes, and Alaska Natives. There are 561 federal recognized tribal governments in the United States, a spokesman in Washington D.C., said.
 
Sometimes, projects involving the BIA take years to develop, and can get downright nasty. Litigation between the BIA and another party, known as the Cobell litigation, recently resulted in the shut down of the BIA's Web site and e-mail servers. It is not known when they will be back online.

 
Sincerely,


Mr. Gene Koprowski (M.A., The University of Chicago)
Columnist
United Press International


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