White Earth Nation moves forward with trust application for Moorhead casino
White Earth Nation is preparing an 80-acre trust application for a proposed casino near Moorhead, Minnesota.Summary
White Earth Nation leaders are preparing a formal application to place 80 acres of land east of Moorhead, Minnesota, into federal trust as a step toward building a proposed casino near the junction of Interstate 94 and Highway 336. Tribal officials briefed Clay County commissioners on the fee-to-trust and gaming process, describing it as a multi-year federal review involving environmental studies, local consultation, and approvals from the U.S. Interior Secretary and Minnesota's governor. The tribe reduced its request from the full 300-acre site to two 40-acre parcels based on guidance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Officials emphasized the project remains in the pre-application phase, with plans to submit the application by January 2027, potentially finalizing trust status and gaming eligibility in 2028. Commissioners raised questions about the project's size and impact, while tribal leaders described the casino as part of a broader economic development plan and proposed a cooperative aid agreement with Clay County and Moorhead to address public safety, roads, and utilities.
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