Search
 

Backlog at Interior Draws Ire of Tribes

WASHINGTON, DC-Native American tribes raise questions over the lengthy delays at the Interior Department, pressing Congress to intervene.

By Carrie Levine | Updated on October 01, 2007

(Carrie Levine is reporter with Legal Times, an ALM publication.)

WASHINGTON, DC-Native American tribes around the country are complaining about lengthy delays at the Interior Department, raising questions over whether Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne is blocking action on some gaming applications because of his personal reservations about off-reservation gambling. Tribal representatives–including Washington lawyers and lobbyists–say that overall the delays have cost tribes and state governments millions of dollars in lost revenue, without much explanation for their cause. Tribal representatives and lobbyists are now pressing Congress to intervene.

So far, the rumblings have drawn little notice inside the Beltway, but they are getting louder. The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, chaired by Sen. Byron Dorgan, decided last week to hold an Oct. 4 hearing on the backlog at Interior. And New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer has written a sharply worded letter of complaint to Rep. Nick Rahall, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, about Kempthorne’s handling of an application from a New York tribe, asking that committee to hold its own hearing.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.

Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Unlimited access to GlobeSt and other free ALM publications
  • Access to 15 years of GlobeSt archives
  • Your choice of GlobeSt digital newsletters and over 70 others from popular sister publications
  • 1 free article* every 30 days across the ALM subscription network
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM events and publications

*May exclude premium content
Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

GlobeSt

Join GlobeSt

Don't miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed commercial real estate decisions. Join GlobeSt.com now!

  • Free unlimited access to GlobeSt.com's trusted and independent team of experts who provide commercial real estate owners, investors, developers, brokers and finance professionals with comprehensive coverage, analysis and best practices necessary to innovate and build business.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and GlobeSt events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join GlobeSt

Copyright © 2025 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.