"This is a positive development that will help move the entireprocess toward a successful final conclusion," says Chief BarbaraLazore, a tribal chief of the St. Regis Mohawks. "The opportunityto bring a Native American Class III gaming operation to MonticelloRaceway will mean positive economic development for the members ofthe St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and the people of Sullivan County."

Sullivan County Legislator Sam Wohl, and chairman of theSullivan County Industrial Development Agency, says the St. RegisMohawks will become "a big player in our local economy. Thepositive economic spin-off from this casino will translate into newjob opportunities for our residents, increased local commerce and ajump-start to our tourism industry."

In April, theBureau of Indian Affairs asked the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe toaddress some issues in its environmental assessment of the project.The tribe's response is expected to be finished soon. The remainderof the approval process for the project will involve the Bureau ofIndian Affairs decision on whether to render a "Finding of NoSignificant Impact" on its environmental assessment.