Oklahoma Leaders Want Answers To Broken Arrow Casino Concerns

Two Oklahoma political leaders are taking action in opposing a Broken Arrow casino. Congressman John Sullivan and Senator Tom Coburn have sent a letter to the National Indian Gaming Commission and Bureau of Indian Affairs asking for more information about the Kialegee Tribal Town casino building project.

They also told the commission and an administrator at the BIA that "thousands of residents in Oklahoma are gravely concerned about the proposed location" of the casino in Broken Arrow.

The letter questions whether the property qualifies as "Indian lands" and if the Kialegee Tribal Town has tribal jurisdiction over the land. They also want the NIGC and BIA to determine if the tribe filed an environmental impact statement with the Secretary of the Interior.

Read the letter

"We have personally met with residents of Broken Arrow who subsequently presented a petition signed by close to 2,000 residents strongly opposed to the new Kialegee Tribal Town casino where active construction continues," the letter reads.

1/4/2012 Related Story: Tribe Behind Broken Arrow Casino Remains Silent Amid Controversy

"Their concerns include proposed casino's close proximity to public facilities, like schools; growing strain placed on public resources including public safety, roads and increased traffic through the city; and the perceived 'below the radar' path this development has taken to date."

Sullivan and Coburn have asked for a written response to their letter no later than January 17.