/>A lawyer for the tribe said U.S. Department of the Interior officials told him it was “highly unlikely” the casino and resort in Sullivan County would be approved. And tribe President Kimberly Vele said the Interior Department has reversed itself on the proposal, which must be approved by the middle of this month.

Former Gov. David Paterson signed a pact with the Stockbridge-Munsees allowing the gaming facility, but only if the proposal also was approved by the Department of the Interior.

Earlier this week, state Sen. John Bonacic, R-Mount Hope, said he came away with bad vibrations after meeting with federal officials in Washington about the casino plan.

The tribe has said the project would pump millions of dollars into the region’s economy. Opponents have pointed to traffic and crime problems often associated with casinos.

The state Legislature and then-Gov. George Pataki approved legislation nearly a decade ago allowing a total of three Indian-run casinos to operate in Ulster in Sullivan counties. Proposals have come and gone since then, but no casino has opened.

 

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