InteriorSecretaryCasinoDecisionJan2008

Orange Environment Press comment on Interior Secretary Casino Decision, Jan 7, 2008:

Orange Environment, Inc, a co-plaintiff in litigation against the Department of the Interior over the inadequacy of the casino environmental review for the Mohawk site in Montecello, issued this comment today in the wake of Secretary Kempthorn's denial of permission to both the Mohawk and Stockbridge-Munsee for off reservation casinos.

OE President Michael R. Edelstein called the Interior decision a major victory for Orange County. "The findings of adverse impact for these tribes underscores the concerns we have had with the lack of consideration for impacts that these casinos would have on the air and traffic quality of our region. Clearly it is time for casino proponents in the region to realize that casinos raise adverse impacts. The Secretary's action was specifically focused on impacts for the tribes themselves. But the larger message is that these projects deserve a very hard look. And denial if the impacts cannot be mitigated. The Secreatary is to be commended for this decision."

Orange Environment has worked closely with the Natural Resources Defense Council and Catskill groups on the casino issue.