The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians plan to build a casino and tribal village close to the United States 20 bypass is moving forward after the Bureau of Indian Affairs issued a draft environmental impact study of the plan. The study was able to show that the proposed development of a casino and village would not impact the environment outside of congested traffic. The proposal would benefit the tribe on a socioeconomic level.

While the tribe prepares for the build, a local group has come forward in opposition of the plans. The group feels as though the casino would have a negative impact on the community. The study by the Bureau of Indian Affairs seems to prove otherwise.

With a casino, the appropriate revenues would be generated to sustain the tribal village which would be housing for up to 600 tribal members. This area would also include services needed for daily life. With the study, two alternative plans for development were considered. One plan proposes a tribal village and casino located at County Road 26 and Indian 19 in Elkhart County. The second proposal shows commercial development and village near the South Bend, Indiana  property.

The study found that both plans have the same impact as the preferred plan which includes a casino. The next step for the tribe will be the BIA to host a public hearing on the draft environmental impact findings. That hearing will be held on  April 14. The Draft EIS can be read in it’s entirety HERE.

The Tribe currently operates several casinos in Michigan under the Four Winds brand.