I Irlusc Rrsourcc Cornrnirtcc 01 might I Icariny 

:Ipri I 9. 2008 

1 I.R. 5608 

Chairman RahaIl and mcrnhers of the Cornmittce: Thank !.ou for alloiving mo [O speak 

u.ith you toda!. E am Plril EIogcn. Chairman of the Sational Indian Ciaming Commission. 

I am hero tn ccwirncnt on I I.R. 5608. a bill to establish regular and rncaningf~~l 

consu Intion anti col laboration wirh tribal otrjcials. 

1I.R. 5608 identifies SIGC. t11e tlcpartment of the Interior and rhe Indian t Iralth Senice 

as agcncics rcquirins an accounrabic consultation process, U-ithout a doubt. the nccd hr 

tribal consul taion applies ti? man! fcderal apcncics and pmgmrns. and ccrtainl! -and 

promincntl>.- -t o tkc \tork of'thc Sational Indian Gaming I'ommission (SJCrC'). 

NIGC' is tjr~n?? ctlrnrnittcd tn tlic cnnsulration process. Thrl agency is strong!! opposcd to 

this hill. ho\xcvcr. 

In keeping ixi~h rhc obligation to consult. YICiC' adopted its consulration plic. in cart? 

7005 and puhlishct! it in rhc Fcdenl Register. :*r copy is attached. 'I'his polic! nas i tscl f a 

product 01- the I'cmmission's consultatic~n xvith trihes as it was Ibmulated. In the course 

of fortnulatin? this policy. SICjC also gathered and esamined tllc con~~lltation poIicics of 

othcr fidvml a2cncir.s. and Jiscmscd the utilirl; of those policies with those agcnciss. 

Thc qucsricln that thc bill seeks to ans\ver, I believc. is \\hat kind of cnnsultation 

cc~nstirufes adc'q~iak. accountable consultalion. This hill dots not ansr$-cr that quesiion. 

and ir ccrt.tr~inl: docs not ansiter thc question as to hot\ the NTGC. a rcgnlatop agency. 

can 111t'r't f1ict;t' new c~nsultafion responsibilities n-bile at thc same time ctTcctiv~'1~ 

fulfilling its stntutnrl. ohIigmions rinder thc Indian Gaming Regulnrt~n :kt. Tn Suc~. it is 

clur firm bclief'that enactment of this Ecgislation would c~isceratc the agcnc!'s good faith 

abilib ro rceuIatc. 

IX'c con~in~ie toscck consultation in the most cfficti\.c ways, n-hile ~hcsc arc 563 

rccogniztxl frihr's in thc I'nited States. only about 2-30 art: cngngcd in Indian gaming. and - so it is rhat group to iv11orn tllc \I(;(' has most afien turned !irt consultation. ?'he great 

breadth of trihal di~.ersip is rcflectcd in rheir vaping cultures. economies. and 

goo~nph!.. I*hc.! t-ay from having Iarec land bases to smalI. large tribd mcmhership In 

small. urban settings 10 rural. Somc arc' found in jurisdictions ~Ilcrc thcru is much nonttihnl commercial gaming and others n-hcrc gambling opportunEtits arc almost 

escl usi~.cf! tihnl. 'l'hus. thc Commission quick?! lcarncd thr a position or poticy favored 

hy rribcs it ith snralI land bascs and memhcrships. locatcd \{.here huge urban populations 

makc fur grcm market opportunities. lvill nos necessarily be favored h:' tritrtls uith large 

tribal rncmberst~ips and large. remote. mraI resenations near ncr large poputaxion ccntcm. 

In is nor possible. of course. for the Commission to leisit c'\.eq. tribe on its resenation each 

time an issuc or policy might afTect triks. Gaming trihcs 'na1.t. fimncd rrzgionnl gaming 

associarions. such ns the Grear Plains Indian Gaming .Association ((iI'ICi..21. the 
(1klahoma Indian Gamins Association IOIG.4). thc 'i'r'ashington Indian Iiarning 

Association I\J.ICi:\). tht C'alifomia Saticms Indian Gaming .\ssociation (C'UIC;;2). thc 

Midncsr :lIliancr. of So\.creign Tribes (MAST). and rhe Set\ Mexico Indian Gaming 

:Issociaticln (%l.lICI;Z). among (EI~CTS. 3s \w31 as national organizations siich as National 

Indian Gaming .'lssociaticln (YIGA). Satinnal C'ongrcss of :\moriean Indians (I"\;r!II) and 

ITnitcd South and Eastern Tribes (ITSE'f'). Those arganizations mcer anntlally or more 

often- and NICiC' has taken thosc opprrunities to in\.ite tribal luadesship to aatend 

consultation meetings on a NIGC-ro-indi~,idual-tsibe basis. Consulring at gaming 

association rncctings masirnixs the use of fhe C'omrnission's timc and minimizes the 

travcl cspcnstls that tribes. \vho c~rdinariI>. attend thosc meetings anyin:. must cspend 

Ibr consultation, 

I\lan? trihcs :IL'CL'PI thcsc' int.iraticlns. man! do not. Somc rribcs send shcir triblil chair. 

prcsidcrlt or pcrnor. and rntmbcrt; of thcir tribal cc~uocil. nhilc others scnd 

rcproscntati vcs of tlreir tribaI gaming commissions. or in some instances staff rncmbcrs of 

rhc gaming commissions or of' tht tribal gaming q-mations. Ihc consr~ltazion sessions are 

al~ra>,s most ef'ii.ctivc when rrihal leadership. h!. \\a> of tribal chair or council. is presunx. 

'fie 1enc.r~ of in~~itntion. snrnplcs of xvhich are attached. identii) issues on ~vhich STCiC' is 

currcntlj ii~cusing and ahour which the agency is seeking tribal inpu~. Thc lertcrs always 

incIudc an inl,ira~ion ro discuss an) other topics that might he of panicular intertst to an 

indi\.idtlal tribc. Snmc tribes haye Iimited their consu!tatinns to n singlc issuc. such as 

KIGC"s proposals to bcrtcr distinguish gaming equipmcnr pcrmissihlc for uncompactcd 

Cl:~ss I1 gaming l?r>m that pcrrnittcd for compacted Class III gaming. 

R'c cIo no1 onl~ make oussclvcs a\.ailahle for numerous consultaric~ns. bu~ \vc also Iistcn 

seriot~sly to nhar we hear at thosc consultations. The reguialions TICiC' adopts arc 

published M ith thorough prcnrnbics. ivhich attcmpt to surnrnari~c all 01' thc issucs raised 

in thc gi.rxpcmmtnt-to-go~c'rnrncn~ consuItarion scssinns thc Commission has held with 

trihcs. 3s 1~~11 as ~hosc raiscd by all other ctlmmsnter's pro~iding nrittcn comrncnt. 

durins thc comment pcri~d OR the re~ularion. I hmtt attached the pruan-tbIc ti-om the 

C'omrnission's rcccntly rtdoptcd facilit!" Iicensc regulation as an examplc. 

'I'ht. Yl(iC does not believe irs current consultation practices arc perfect. hut we do 

hclict\c that the! arc c.ffccti\c. R'c also klicve that consultation lihauld not mean 

agreement and that thc partics consulting shr~uld not mcasrlrc the good faith nr 

el%cctii,cncss of thc consultatior! by whether agreement is reached. I'_.uperiencc has shonn 

rhrit ~thcre is littlc or no clamor for consultation If the action hcing consiilcred is frllvorabl: 

rccci\'cd thr~~tghc)ut the Indian gaming industry. SICiC's reccnt reduction in the fCes it 

impow5 on frclss gaming rexvnues to t'i~nd SICrC' operations pro\.idcs such an examp It.. 

Cln the orhcr hand. if the issue thc agency is considering is vieucd as pmbtcmntic. often 

rhcrc arc concenrs tsprcssed that consultation has brcn inrtdcquatr.. A fi~rthcr chalicnge 

lhs NICiC' hr~s ohsen-cd is that consultation is most often cririciyed by tribes when tl~c 

cvcnrurtl polic! that the apenc: settles on is at odds with the position csprcsscd by tribcs 

during uonsultations. That is. thc NFGt's failure. from the tribal point cri'vic~v. \\as not in 

the cnnsuftarion per sc hut rathcr hat the Com~nission did not agree u-it11 tribal points of 
i.icu. It dnr.s not sccm fair or just that the only consulratinn deemed adcquatc is thar in 

which thc C.c~mmissinn al\j.a:s full!. comports ~vith tribal points of vie\!.. SIGC' often 

finds itst.!f .;\mpntht.tic to tribal points of iviezl, hut if is also hound h? statutop 

constraints. ['or c\;arnyIc thc Indian Gaming Regulatoy. :let's characterization of a 

nurnbcr of gnmhling practices as Class I11 rcquires thc sanction of tribat-stale compacts. 

t am f'c.artill that if Icgislaxic~n such as H.R. 5608 is rnac~ed. ncarl! c\.eq policy adcrptcd 

hy the NaticrnaI Indian Gaming C'ornmission 1vilE k stlbicct to challenge in court by onc 

of' thc 2?0 gaming tribes on he basis that thc regulation \\*as not suppond by 

consultation. 1 at11 also ftarfid that the Commission's mission of pro\,idinr?, rllc gamins 

rcpulntit.rn mandatcd in IC;R:Z iviU k o\~mvhcImcd by such litigation. 

:I prohlcm orcftted h! thc pmposed Icgislation is distinguishing "politics thar havc tribal 

implications" from thoso that do nol. Fn the Ecyislation. thc fonncr arc dcfincd as: 

an! rnc.:isurc. F? the agenc! shal has or is Iikel: to hnvc a direct et'fcct on 

one' or nlorc Indian tribes. an the rcIationship bet\\-rcn thc f;=dcr;lE 

go~.cmnrcnt md Indian rribcs. or on the distribution of powcr and 

rcspr~nsihilirics bctu.ecn rile federal goternmen! and Indian rribcs. such as 

scguiations. Icgislati\t. cclmmenrs or proposed Eegislafion. and othcr polic!' 

statcmcnts or actions. guidance. clarification. standards. or SCFS of 

principlcq. 

If wouid seem that rhis would leave prccious little far a regulato~, apcnc? such as thc 

XIGC lo do iiifhout first engaging in c~nsultation, Determining the cvtent of the 

consulx3tic\n thar \\uuId bc adequate likely nauld be psnhlcmatic too. 

An csarnplc of this \xouId bc rhc agency's position on this legislalion. '[he Office af 

Managerncnt rind Rudget coordinates the t.ic.xvs of the federr! famil! on legisln~ion that 

irnpacrs 111~. adminisrnrion. On \farch 35. 1008. OhlB asked thc YIGC to provide its 

views un I I.R. 5hOR u,ithin rht rcmaindcs of that we&. liecdlcss to sa!.. if I1.R. 5608 

M.CW the I~M ot'fhc land. doing SO \i.~~~ld have been irnpossihlr gixpc-ln the rcquirtrnent that 

consul tat ions must first occur. Qutls~ions that the proposed bill also Ecat~es unanswered 

arc: IFou long \\auld such consultation rake'.' Ilom many trihcs ~!~ouEd have to he 

consulted'? VI~crc ivould that ct>nsultation best occur? 110%- ~voi~ld that consultation he 

best docurncntcd'.' 

NL'XI. !kith ~L'SFCL'I tii t11c npplica~ion clfconsuIration requinemcnts. I think ir is appropriate 

to draw distinctions het\~ccn fcdcral agencies and their funcrions. If n fkderal program 

will build horncs on Indian lands tilr Indian peoylc. certain!: cstcnsivc consultation ought 

to occur ~vith respect to thc irnplcmentntir'rn of such meri~oriout; proyarns. Thar fcderal 

activity. hrn~c\*er, I belicle. can hc quatitatively distinguisl~cd tkom the regulation or 

ortrsight tl~nr :In agcnc!. such as the Yatinnal Indian Ciaming Commission is mandated to 

proridc. 
M'hile IIIC fnll(~n ing o?;ample is perhaps aotl stark, it may haye somc application here. ?'a 

require that befort thc haskcthnll refurw calls a foul or charges a plnyet nith *'rra\.cling." 

ir \vouId proh:lbly hc impractical and of qucstionahlc fairness if on cach clccasion hc or 

shc lind icl tirsr hcar thc point oC\-icw oi'thc playcr on u-horn the ihul or thc traveling was 

c:~iIccl. and of cnursc. in fairness. PO huar from thc opposition. and tl~cn the coaclles of 

both tcams. .I5 thc rules of lt~c game a~r' n~itten. those r$-ho participate ought to be invircd 

to rhr: rabllt 11, discuss thcrn. Howe\,er. in thc application of rhosc rules. cnnsuItation is 

inapprclpriatc :lnd cenain1~ impncticabIe. and T am conccmed thar similar cnnsrrninrs on 

rcgularoq a~cncics. Iihich might he imposed h~ I I.R. 5608. ought to be a\.oidtd. Thr. 

dctinition thund in section 34). *'Por,rr'~~s rH:zT tl %i'E TRln:Xl. I~?PI,~~:\T~O\S." uould 

rcyuin: clnrit~ and netd to clearly distinguish the adjudicaxit,c frinctions oi' rc_gulator~ 

ngencics from thc nllernnking the! condtics. 

Sirnilarl!. scctio~l 6. addressing un f~~ndcd mandates. would pose great chnl lcnges to rhosc 

&firs ~t~akc n~lcs rhaz sclatc to cemmescinl enterprises. such as tribal bingo halls and 

casinos. I!' thc Satinnal Indian Gaming Commission im~oscd a regulntion [hat required 

sunciIlancc camtrus to be placed oz-cr thc cnuntcr of ~ht. cashiers rhat count tht. monq at 

thc gaming fncili?. undcr an cnactcd H.R. 5608. n trihc might argue lhat such 

tiun-cil lancc ctlrild nut bc SO rtquir~d. unless the federal go\ ernment paid for tllc catncraq. 

T'irs~. YIGC does not usc federal taxpayers' dollars. Instcad. thc agency's activities art. 

supported h!. fccs on tht. tribes: as s result. requiring fc-dcral payment of a regulator?. cost 

dcws not norl, in the contest of NICiC's budgcrap status. I-urthcmnre. it is not 

opprt~priarc wirh respect PO regularoq' requirements for cutnmercial acti\.ities such as 

gaming. nhich ihr SIGC hclps rcgulate under 1C;R:Z. 

Finall: . adrninistmr i~ c agencics arc peculiar in that the! cscrcisc quasi-cxccurii,e. quasilcgislnrivc ( rulcmaking I and quasi-j udicial (adiudicarion) funcrions. Rcduccd to 

csscnrials, nrlcmaking is the adoption of regulations that ha1.c the tbrce and effect of la^. 

a4,judication is thc appiicntion and further interpretation (-~f those rulee in particular rases 

in dispure. !-'air J)I%)CL'SS is required for each of rhe prrsccsscs. hut nowhcrt. in the 

.,Zdrninistm;lai\r Procedure :Zcr. lvhich is a rcrnarkablc and proven hod? of law hy which 

our Scdcml 201-cmmcnr has succc.ssful1~ opcrarcd for over 40 years. are thcrc an: 

constraints similar to thr>sc i~hjch would hc impcsscd b!. H.R. .5608. 

TI1c.r~ is a hislo? to thc devcloprnenr of consultation. That rht. I'nitsd States has tn~st 

obligations to tndian ~rihcs is sccognixcd esplicitl in many tsua~ies. Whicf .lusticc hhn 

Marshall. in his famous trilog) ol' opinions n~ittcn in thc 1833s. charactcriycd the 

rclationship gcnr.~i11!. as that oS a guardian and ward. M'hilc thc l'nitcd Status is not a 

common Ian Inistee. rhc federal-tribal relationship is in fact a go~rcmment-to-govcmmcnt 

rularionship. and as thc 1-nited Sratcs fulllEIs its mlc in tha? rclationship. ir nccds to hear 

its obligations in mind. 'Yhs ~nrId has changed much since Chicf Justice kk~rshall's timc. 

and nor rhu Icnsr of' ~hcse changes is thc posifivc rnorcrnent h! tribes toward selfdetermination and sclf'sufficirncy. In rcccnt dccadcs. federal Indian policy has foiircrcd 

rhnr evolution. 
'Shc I'nircd Stxcs. of cou~c. needs to cansidcr tllc nceds and dcsircs of trihcs. and ns 

trihc5 attain grcarcr political and economic st:rbilir?. the prcarcr rhe dcfcrenct. the I'nircd 

States oughl 10 :~ffnrd their esprcssit>ns (sf need and desire. If'hax this moans. of count.. Is 

th31 the fcdcraI grncrnmenl ought 10 consult lvith tribes as it Sorniulafes and esccutcs 

policics ~lrar impact those trihes. 

President Rusl~ rcitcrated the :Idministratian's adhewncc 10 it g~~vcmmcnt-tD-~nvcrnment 

rclatinnship in his Mcmomndum f'or tho Heads of' E:.xccutivc Department and :lgcncics in 

Scprcmhcr 7001. E.0. 1 ? 1 75 dirccts federal agcncits 10 conduct meaningful 

~c~~pcmment-to-g~~~~emmc'nt consultation l~ith tribes u.!~cn policics that aff'cx them arc .- 

fhrmulatcd. Challenges to such policies cannot legall? be founded on pcrccivcd nr 

allagcd shorrcorninps of the consultation pruccss attending diose policies. This 

Iegisiatiun. l~cnvei.cr. ivould require a dcgrec of collahoraticln \!.it11 thc rcgt~latcd 

cornmunit> (Indian gaming tribes, that is wholly incnnsistcnt u.ith a mbtist and health? 

rcgularc)~ mission such ns 'iIGd"s. 

'1'h:tnk !.ou 1i)r tl~c r~ppantlni~ to prcscnt the commission's vicu on t t.R. 5608. B'r. stand 

~3dy 1~1 ans~t'r an! qucsdons. 
Government to Government Policy 

National Indian Gaming Commission Governmen t-to-Governmen t Tribal 

Consultation Policy - published in the federal register March 24,2004 

The National Indian Gaming Commission ('WlGC" or "Commission"), in 

consultation with Federally-recognized Indian tribes. establishes and issues this 

Govemment-to-Government Tribal Consultation Pol icy. which shall take effect 

immediately and remain in effect until further order of the Commission. 

I. Introduction 

A. Fzrndomenral Principi~s ~ffkle Gover~amenf-to-C;nverp~ment Relationship 

I. The United States of America has a unique government-to-government relationship 

with Federally-recognized Indian tribes, as set forth and defined in the Constitution of the 

United States and Federal treaties. statutes. Executive Orders, and Federal court 
decisions. Since its formation. the United States has recognized Indian tribes as sovereign 

nations, which possess and exercise inherent sovereign authority over their members and 

territory to the extent recognized and defined by the Constitution of the United States, 

Federal treaties. statutes. Executive Orders. and Federal court decisions. Pursuant to this 

unique government-to-government relationship. the Federal Government has enacted 

numerous statutes and promulgated numerous administrative regulations that establish 

and define its trust responsibilities to Indian tribes and address issues concerning tribal 

self-governance. tribal territory and resources. and tribal treaty and other rights. 

2. A principal goal of long-standing Federal Indian policy is to support the federally 

rccognired sovereignty of Indian tribes by promoting tribal economic development, tribal 

self-suff~ciency. and strong tribal governance and self-determination over their internal 

affairs. In 1988, to further this policy and also address congressional concerns regarding 

the absence of clear Federal standards or regulations for the conduct of Indian gaming, 

Congress enacted the lndian Gaming Regulatory Act ("TGRA" or "Act"). 2j CLY. I:. 2701 

et st.q.. for three specified purposes: 

(a) To provide a statutory basis for the operation of gaming by Indian tribes as a 

means of promoting tribal economic development, self-suficiency, and strong tribal 

government: 

(b) To provide a statutory basis for the regulation of Indian gaming adequate to shield 

it from organized crime and other corrupting influences; ensure that tribes are the pritnary 

beneficiaries of their gaming operations; and assure that the gaming is conducted fairly 

and honestly by both the operator and players; and, 

(c) To declare that the establishment of independent Federal regulatory authority and 
Federal standards for Indian gaming and the establishment of the NlGC are necessary to 

meet congressional concerns regarding Indian gaining and protect it as a viable ]means of 

generating tribal governmental revenues and furthering the policies and purposes of 

IGRA* 

R. Tribal. Federul, S!ac~ and Local Rights and Interests Regarding rhe 0persrlic)n and 

Replation of Indian Gaming Under IGRA 

1. The NTGC was established by IGRA as an independent Federal regulatory agency. 

The Act vests the Uommission with certain regulatory powers and responsibilities for 

Indian gaming, including broad authority to promulgate such regulations and guide1 ines 

as it deems appropriate to implement the provisions of the Act. 

2. IGRA recognizes and provides that the operation of gaming on Indian lands is 

primarily a function of tribal sovereignty. Indian gaming is conducted by tribal 

governments. who may use the net revenues derived from gaming only to fund tribal 

governmental operations ar programs; provide for the general welfare of the tribe and its 

members; promote tribal economic development; donate to charitable organizations; and 

help fund operations of local government. 

3. The regulatory framework established by IGRA for Indian gaming provides 

differing. but complementary. regulatory authority and responsibi I ity to Indian tribes. the 

NTGC. the Secretary of the Interior. and state governments, dependent upon which of 

three different statutorily defined classes of tribal gaming activity is conducted. Under 

TGRA, Class 1 gaming remains under the exclusive sovereign jurisdiction of Tndian tribes 

and is not subject to the Act's other regulatory provisions. Indian tribes also retain 
primary sovereign regulatory authority and responsihil ity for the day-to-day regulation of 

Class I1 and Class 111 Indian gaming operations under IGRA. However, the Act also vests 

the NIGC with certain independent Federal regulatory powers and responsibilities 

regarding the regulation of Class I1 and Class I11 gaming activity on Tndian lands. In 

addition, IGRA also requires that Class 111 Indian gaming activity be conducted in 

conformance with a Tribal-State compact that is in effect and approved by the Secretary 

of the Interior. Under IGRA. such Tribal-State Compacts may include negotiated 

provisions for state participation in the regulation of Class Ill tribal gaming activity 

conducted on Indian lands within the state. 

4. IGRA's statutory system of shared regulatory authority and responsibility for 

Tndian gaming will work most effectively to further the Act" declared policies and 

purposes, when the three involved sovereign governmental authorities work. 

communicate. and cooperate with each other in a respectful government-to-government 

manner. Such government-to-governrnen~ relationships wi Il make it possible for al I three 

sovereign governmetlts to mutually resolve their issues and concerns regarding the 

operation and regulation of Tndian gaming, and efficiently coordinate and assist each 

other in carrying out their respective regulatory responsibilities for lndian gaming under 

IGRA. 

5. Accordingly. the N CGC deems it appropriate to issue this Government-toGovernment Tribal Consultation Policy. to promote and enhance the government-togovernment relationships, consuftations, and mutual cooperation among Tndian tribes. the 

NIGC. other involved Federal departments and agencies, and state and local 

governments, regarding the operation and regulation of Indian gaming under IGRA. 
TI. NIGC Policy Making Principles and Guidelines 

A. Fundurnen tul Principles 

Thc NIGC will adhere to and be guided by the following fundamental principles of 

Federal Indian policy, when formulating and implementing Federal regulatory policies, 

programs, procedures. requirements. resttictions, or standards that may substantially 

affect or impact the operation or regulation of gaming on Tndian lands by a Federallyrecognized tribal government under the provisions of IGRA: 

1. The NIGC recognizes and respects the Federally recognized sovereignty of Tndian 

trihes, which possess and exercise inherent sovereign authority over their members and 

territory and have certain rights to self-government over their internal governmental 

affairs under Federal law. 

2. Tlie NTGC recognizes and is committed to maintaining a respectful and meaningful 

government-to-government relationship with Federally-recognized Indian tribes and their 

authorized governmental leaders, when exercising and discharging its regulatory 

authority and responsibilities tbr Indian gaming under IGRA. 

3. The NTGC acknowledges that Indian tribes retain and exercise primary sovereign 

authority and responsibility with respect to the day-to-day operation and regulation of 

gaming on their tribal lands under IGRA, subject to independent Federal regulatory 

oversight and the conditions. restrictions, and requirements of the Act, Tribal-State 

Compact provisions, Federal procedures in lieu of Tribal-State compacts, and NTGC 
regulations promulgated pursuant to the Act. 

4. The NTGC will honor and respect the provisions of Tribal-State Class TIT Gaming 

Compacts that are duly approved by the Secretary of the Interior and in effect, or. in the 

alternative. Federal Class TIT tribal gaming procedures approved by the Secretary of the 

Interior, in lieu of a Tribal-State Compact. pursuant to IGRA and Department of Interior 

regulations. 

5. To the extent practicable and permitted by law, the NlGC wi I l engage in regular, 

timely. and meaningful government-to-government consultation and collaboration with 

Federally recognized Indian tribes. when formulating and implementing NlGC 

administrative regulations. bulletins. or guidelines, or preparing legislative proposals or 

comments for Congress, which may substantially affect or impact the operation or 

reglation of gaming on Indian lands by tribes under the provisions of IGRA. 

6. The NIGC will encourage Federally-recognized Indian tribes and state and local 

governments to consult. collaborate and work cooperatively with each other in a 

respectful, good faith government-to-government manner to mutually address and resolve 

their respective issues and concerns regarding the operation and regulation of gaming on 

Indian lands under IGRA. in furtherance of the policies and purposes of the Act. 

7. The NIGC will also work cooperatively with other Federal departments and 

agencies and with state and local governments to enlist their interest and support to assist 

the Commission and Tndian tribes in safegarding tribal garn ing from organ ited crime 

and other corrupting influences; providing adequate law enforcement, fire. and 

emergency health care services. and environmental protections for the health and safety 

of the public in tribal gaming facilities; and accomplishing the other goals of TGRA. 
B. Other Polic)~ ,Voking principle.^ and Glidelines 

To the extent practicable and permitted by law, the NIGC will aIso adhere: to and be 

guided by the following additional principles and guidelines. when formulating and 

implementing Federal regulatory policies. programs. procedures, requirements. 

restrictions. or standards. that may substantially effect or impact the operation or 

re~gulation .of gaming on Indian lands by a Federally-recognized tribal government(s) 

under the provisions of IGRA: 

1. The NIGC acknowledges and will reasonably consider variations in the nature and 

scale of tribal gaming activity across lndian country. as well as variations in the extent 

and quality of tribal gaming regulation and state regulatory involvement under the 

different Tribal-State Compacts. when determining the need. nature. scope, and 

application of new or revised Federal regulatory policies. procedures, pro, -rams. 

requirements. restrictions. or standards for Indian gaming operations under IGRA. 

2. The NIGC will also provide technical assistance. advice, guidance. training. and 

support to help Indian tribes and tribal leaders and employees understand and comply 

with Federal policies, regulations and standards for Indian gaming. 

3. The NIGC will defer to tribally established regulations and standards for lndian 

gaming, when the Commission determines that they are permitted by IGRA and fufiher 

its policies and purposes; that they adequately address congressional concerns regarding 

Indian gaming; that tribal compliance and enforcement are readily verifiable by the 

NTGC; and, that similar Federa! regulations and standards are not statutorily required or 

necessary to implement the Act. 
4. The NTGC will also encourage and provide technical assistance. advice, guidance, 

and support to Indian tribes and tribal leaders to formulate and implement their own 

regulatory policies, procedures, requirements. restrictions, and standards for their gaming 

operations, in lieu of similar Federal regulations and standards. if the Commission 

determines that the proposed tribal regulations and standards are permitted by TGRA and 

further its policies and goals; that they will adequately address congressional concerns 

regarding Indian gaming: that tribal compliance and enforcement will be readily 

verifiable by the NIGC; and, that similar Federal reglations and standards are not 

statutorily required or necessary to implement the Act. 

5. The NTGC will not formulate and implement Federal regulatory policies. 

procedures. programs. requirements. restrictions. or standards for Indian gaming that will 

impose substantial direct compliance or enforcement costs on an lndian tribe(s). if the 

Commission determines that such Federal regulations and standards are not required by 

IGRA or necessary to implement its provisions or f~lrther accomplishment of its policies 

and purposes. 

6. In general, the NTGC will strive to grant Tndian tribes the maximum administrative 

and regulatory discretion possible in operating and regulating gaming operations on 

Indian land under IGRA; and also strive to eliminate unnecessary and redundant Federal 

regulation. in order to cunserve limited tribal resources. preserve the prerogatives and 

sovereign authority of tribes over their own internal affairs, and promote strong tribal 

government and self-determination. in accordance with Federal Indian policy and the .- 

goats of IGRA. 
C. Applicuhili l;rl 

The NlGC will be guided by the above policy-making principtes and guidelines in its 

planning and management activities, including budget development and execution, 

legislative initiatives and comments. and poIiey and rule making processes. 

111. Tribal Consultation Procedures and Guidelines 

A. To the fullest extent practicable and permitted by law. the NlGC is committed to 

regular, timely, and meaningful government-to-government consultation with Indian 

tribes. whenever it undertakes the fornulation and implementation of new or revised 

Federal regulatory policies, procedures, programs. requirements. restrictions. or standards 

for lndian gaming. either by means of administrative regulation ar legislative initiative. 

which may substantially affect or impact the operation or regulation of gaming on lndian 

lands by a tribe(s) under IGM. 

B. Based on the government-to-government relationship and in recognition of the 

sovereignty and unique nature of each Federally-recogn ized Indian tribe. the primary 

focus of the NTGC's consultation activities will be with individual tribes and their 

recognized governmental leaders. Consultation with authorized intertribal organizations 

and representative intertribal advisory committees will be conducted in coordination with 

and not to the exclusion of consultation with individual tribal governments. When the 

NTGC determines that its formulation and implementation of new or revised Federal 

regdatory policies, procedures, programs, requirements. restrictions, or standards may 

substantially effect or impact the operation or regulation of gaming on lndian Iands by a 

tribe(s) under IGRA. the Commission will promptly notify the affected tribes and initiate 
steps to consult and collaborate directly with the tribe(s) regarding the proposed 

regulation and its need. formulation, implementation. and related issues and effects. 

Tribes may and are encouraged, however, to exercise their sovereign right to request 

consultation with the NlGC at any time they deem necessary. 

C. The Chairman of the NTGC or his or her designee is the principa! point of contact 

for consultation with Indian tribes regarding all NlGC programs and related policies and 

policy-making activities of the Commission under IGRA. 

D. The NlGC will initiate consuItation by providing early notification to affected 

tribes of the regulatory policies, procedures. programs, requirements. restrictions, and 

standards that it is proposing to formulate and implement. before a final agency decision 

is made regarding their formulation or implementation. 

E. The NIGC will strive to provide adequate opportunity for affected tribes to interact 

directly with the Commission. to discuss and ask questions regarding the substance and 

effects of proposed Federal regulations and standards and related issues, and to provide 

meaningful input regarding the legality. need. nature. form. content. scope and 

application of such proposed regulations, including opportunity to recommend other 

alternative solutions or approaches. Such consuItation will be conducted with tribes by 

means of scheduled meetings. telephone conferences. written correspondence. and other 

appropriate methods of communication, before a final agency decision is made regarding 

the formulation or implementation of the proposed Federat regulations or standards. 

F. As part of the tribal consultation process, the NIGC will answer tribal questions 

and carefully consider all tribal positions and recommendations. before making its final 

decision to formulate and implement proposed new or revised Federal regulatory polices, 
procedures, programs, requirements. restrictions. or standards that may substantially 

affect or impact the operation or reylation of gaming on lndian lands by affected tribe(s) 

under TGRA. 

G. As an independent Federal regulatory agency, the NIGC has authority and 

responsibiIities under IGRA to conduct investigations, take enforcement actions, and 

render regulatory and quasi-judicial decisions regarding the approval of tribal gaming 

ordinances and third party management contracts. the sui tabi l ity of management 

contractors to participate in Indian gaming, and tribal compliance with the Act. The 

nature of these statutory responsibilities necessarily places some limitations on the nature 

and type of consultation that the Commission may engage in with the involved tribes. 

These limitations on consultation are necessary to preserve the integrity of the NTGG's 

investigations. enforcement actions. and decision-making processes, and also comply 

with provisions of the Federal Adrn inistrative Procedures Act that limit Commission 

contact with parties in contested cases. Nevertheless. the NTGC will endeavor. to the 

extent practicable and permitted by law. to reduce procedural impediments to consulting 

directly with tribal governments to resolve issues regarding the operation and reguhtion 

of lndian gaming under t GRA. 

H. The NlGC wi 11, to the extent necessary and appropriate, consult with affected 

tribes to select and establish fairly representative intertribal work groups. task forces, or 

advisory committees to assist the NIGC and tribes in developing administrative rules or 

legislative recommendations to address and resolve certain issues of regulatory concern 

regarding the operation and regulation of Tndian gaming under IGRA. 

I. The NIGC will. to the extent it deerns practicable. appropriate, and permitted by 
law, explore and consider the use of consensual policy making mechanisms. including 

negotiated rulemaking, when formulating and implementing Federal regulatory policies, 

procedures. programs. requirements, restrictions, or standards that may substantially 

effect or impact sovereign tribal rights of self-government regarding the operation or 

regulation of gaming under TGRA, or relared tribal resources, or tribal treaty or other 

rights. 

IV. Increasing Flexibility for Tribal Waivers of Reguiato~ Requirements 

A. The NTGC will review the provisions and processes under which Indian tribes ]nay 

apply for waivers of regulat~ry requirements under NTGC reg~lations. and take whatever 

steps it determines appropriate and permitted by law to further streamline tlzose 

processes, consistent with the policy making principles and guidelines set forth in Part 11 

of this policy. 

B. This Past only applies to regulatory requirements that are discretionary and subject 

to waiver by the NIGC. 

V. General Limitations 

This policy is not intended to nor does it create any right to administrative orjudicial 

review. or any other right. benefit. trust responsibility, or cause of action, substantive or 

procedural, enforceable by any party against the United States of America. its 

departments. agencies or instrumentalities, its officers, or employees, or any other 

persons or entities. 

This policy is not intended to create a forum for resolution of specific disputes or 
issues that are the sub-ject of litigation between the NIGC and a tribe(s1 nor is it meant to 

replace presently existing lines of communication. 
('nnnic I ,c~vis. C llni~crsnn 

I3is Snntly Rnnu?rcti:i 

P.O. Hos 3-77 

Auhcrry. (':I 03002 

<;Dl-ERYSTENT-TO-GOVERN hIF,YT CONSZTI,TATIClN 

YCdTICR ,\ND REQIJEST 

I'urs~iant to nrlr conlrnitmcnt to govemmcnt-to-govcrnmc~~tribal const~ltation. the 

Sntinnnl Indian Ciarniny Chmrnission (NICjC') will be in Sacramcntn. I'nhlisrnia. on 

Fchruary 23-34. l005. ffbr tIrc purpose of mcctins and consulting scpnriltcly with the 

individual ('at i fcmir;l Tri hcs and their govcn~ment Icaclets. Accordintcl y. 1 atn rcq~lesting 

a st-piir;~tc govcmmcn t-to-gc)vcmment consultation mccting n.j th you and 0t11cr Ic;ldcrs of 

ynrrr Tsik to consult rtlgnrding Indian 2:lrnin~ issues. Tltc mcctfny will hc held xt the 

NITrC"s Region TI officc located at 801 I Street. Suirc 489, in Sacramento. 

Eased on our srparatc g~>vemmcnt-to-~.o~~crnmcnt relationship with cnch intl~vidual tribe 

2nd in rccoqition of the individual uniq~iencss of each trihc. the C'ornrnission's Tribal 

Consultatinn Policy- in.hich was oficialIy adoptctI and issued on March 2004, is 

TimrlarncntaFIy promised upon thc psinciplc of' mccting and consul tins separately and 

privately ivith cnch individual trihc and its Icadcrs. Mectings can hc schcdnled on 

Wednes~lny. Pchmnry Zird. bctr\.cen 8:j0 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.: or +Tl~iwday. Fehnlap 24Ih 

hct~vcen 8:70 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Ench rnecting will he sche<lulaI for 40-rnint~tes. 

Lluring cacll mcctin_c. the C'omrnission would likc to hear and ti~scuss yotlr comments. 

quostinns. ctlnccnls and rccommentlations rc~arding: 

The C'ommissinn's pmposcri revisions of the cuwcnt rule 

definitions of "EIcctronic or Elcctromochanicnl 1:ncsimile" (25 

CFR $ 502.8) and "Other Ciarncs Similar to Bingo" (75 C'FR $ 

502.9). which n-ere previously sent to you for cornrncnt and arc 

posted on the NIGC wcbsitc; 
The ("nn~misr;iorr's 4"' \c7clrkirlz cirnfl OF pi-tq~clsctI C'l;~ss I1 C;;imc 

('lnssi ticatinn Stantl:lnls. whfcI1 \vns sent xvitti thi. forcyning 

yroposcd rcviscd ricfir~it~uns ;md posted (lo thc '4I(iC' ~vrhsitc: 

'rtic. ("nmmission's latcst ~vorking rlraft uf ~.rroposcrl C'lnss I1 C;;lrnc 

rcchnical St;lndnrcis. tvllich is hcing sc+parstcll; scnt to YON 

tornor~o~v fur srvic~v 2nd comrricnt anrl will. hc pos!ctl 011 thc NKiC' 

~vcbsi tc; 

'J'he first and sccand sc,ts of prtipnw(i lhll<*S rcvlsiclns postcrl on 

thc N1(;C' ~vchsitc: :mti 

* Any other issacs on \vIlich your 'Tribe not~ltl likc to ~011~1111 tvith 

thc ('nnimission 

To schcdulc yollr ~J'ril,c's privatc ~ri~vrrnmcn~-tt~-govcni~ncnt consult;~tiotl mectin? with 

thc I'ommissirm. plcnso cotnplctc and fax PIC CTICIOSCCI mct'tilig rescnaliotl [ilrnl to Ms. 

Rita 1Iotn;t ;I! 2o.l-r133-(~Y5 as soon as ~rclssihlc. Fl:lch rnceting will he schi-ditlcd on a 

first comc firsf t;crvcb h;r~is. ~vith prcfcr~ncc yivtn to 'I'ribcs ~r;~\*cliny tlic 9rc;llcr tiis2:mce. 

To K?cilizntt. n!c;~nin!:lill consultidion. ivc cllcc'lunpc you to bring 'I'rit~:~! I'ot!r~cil and 

Tribal I;nminy i:ntc.qlri sc and Rcylatary C'ornmiss~on members with you 10 yollr 'frihc's 

cnnstllt:~lirrn rnct.tin;!. Sir~cu thcrt. is linlitcd p;rrking availal~lc at our Kuporl IF t~fficv. I 

rccomtncntl that ytrll park nt [he Hc>licla! Irlrl I)ownto\vn Sacramcnto Ir'rc;ltcd ;I! 300 J 

Street for your sr.hci111Ectl rnrcting 'Shc X1C;C"s Kegion officc is locntdl :q~prcruim:rrdy 3 

hlncks northcast lion^ rl~c hotel on I Strcek. 

('omrnissior~trs IYcstrirl. ('hc~nc?; ant1 I arc looking fonvard tr, rncstir~g 2nd consnltiny 

with ns mtny ('nliftirn~:~ trihcs and their Icadcts as possible dusiny our visit to Sacramento 

ant! hope yt~u arc nblc 10 schezlrllc a mccrint,! ivith us. 
The National Indinn Gaming I'nrnrnission (NIGC') tviZ1 bc at thc C'ocur d'r2lcnc Casino 

IJotcl Resort in Worley. Idaho. for the Afiliarcd Trihcs of Uorth~vcst Indians (?\'I'NI) 

.4nt1ual I'onTcrc!~cc on Scptcn~hcr 19-32. 2005. In addition to attcntling thc confcrcncc, 

wc also plan tn mcct and consu2t with individual Northwest Tribcs and thcir rovernmcnt 

Icadcrs. .~tcct~rtlinyly. 1 am requesting a scparatc govcmmcnE-to-~{)vtmmcnt consultation 

rncctiny with yo~i am1 other leadcrs ol'ynur Tribe rcgimfing Indian qrniny issucs. 

nlc C'nmmission requcsts tc~ mcct ant! consult scpamtcly and privately with each 

indit-idunl Trihc :~nrI its ynvcmmuntal ant1 rc~ulatory gxniny IcnJcrs. hascd on ow 

scpar:de $o\tcmmcnt-to-Fovemnlt~~t rclntinnshjp with cach Triho and in rccogition of 

the indivitlr~nl uniqueness of cach Trihe. Mccrings can be scheduled on M'cdnesday, 

Scpt~mhcr 21 hct~vccn I :OO p.m. and 6:013 p.m. and 'ntursdny, Scptcrnhcr 22 from 8:30 

a.m. to k00 p.m. Fach meeting ~vill hc schetlulcd for -30 minutes. Iluriny each meeting 

the C'nmmission would like to hear and discnss 'Tribal comments. qucstinns. conccrns and 

rccornmcntiat ions rcyarcling: 

Tlic C'clrnrnission's propasctl revisions of the ctlnent n~lc 

dcfinitaons of "Elccrronic or Elcctromcchnnical Facsfmilrr" (25 

C'FR 3 502.3) and "Othcr Games Similar lo Ringo" (25 CFR I; 

5(17.'3): 

* ?he C'ommission's most rccent \\forkins draft cl f propnscti Class 11 

Gamc C'lassi fication Standards; 

'Thc C'omrnissinn's most recent working draft of C'Iass I1 (;me 

'~CCITIIICAI Standar~is: 
Tl~c ( 't~~t~missiori's most recent ~lr-clrking tIr;lfr of ('I:lss 11 ( i;lnirb 

-Pcchnic;i t Stsnd;lrtls: 

Thr. Third sct of prnposcti 3lIC'S rct.isians T~C'II~I~ SCII~ 10 cacll 

Trit7c fils rcvicm. ;~nti cornmcnt; ant1 

Anyothcr issr~cs 011 xvliich your 'I'ril.7~ no~rld like to consult ~vith 

thc l'r~n~miss~on. 

-Po schcdu3.c. your Trihc's priwzc go\.cmmc~lt-to-yovcr~1111cr1t co~~sultatior~ ~nc~ting with 

thc Cornniissio~~, pIc3st' COTII~IC~C rind fax tl~c cnc1osr.d mccling rt.scn.;~tion fnml $0 Ms. 

Rita I lorn:i at 703-h;2-003.5 ;is snnn as pnssihle. Ex11 rnccting ~rslF hc schcdt~lcd or1 3 

firs! cclnrc first scn.etI hasis rvifh prcfcrcncc ~iverl to 'l'rihcs trax'clin~ the g,r:itcr rlistance. 

If you hat-c any questions rcgnrriin~ tl~c scheduling or constrltat~on proccss. plcast. call 

Ilk8 01 31s. f4~~nl:i 31 2l~2-0-32--00:. 

('oti~rnissic>r~css if'cstrin. C'tloncy and I arc lookiog fonr7;lrti to 1ncr.ti119 ant! ct~nsultir~i: 

trittl n..; m;tt~v Nnrtl~~vt~t Trihcs a11d their 1cadr.r~ os possible 15 hilt attcnrliny tl~c .+ITS1 

Itn~~u;~i I-~II krcncc :1ni1 hnl~e mu art. nh I c to schcrli~lo ;I mcctin~ \vitl~ 11s 
PUTSII;HI~ to otlr comniitmrnt to gnvcrnmcnt-to-yovcn1n1~~1t trih;~l cnrisultn~ion. tllc 

Nntion;ll 1nrFi:m Cinrniny C'omrnission (XIGC') \\ill hc at the 1 I"' .+qnnu:iI \Vcstmi lntlian 

Iinming ('onfcrcnce (1i'ICX') nn 1'11csdav. Wtulnusthy and -1hursd:iy. .fnrru:iry 10-1.2. 

3100. Ii>r thc purposc of rnccting ;mrE consnlting scpmalcly ~vith intlit.irlux1 Trihcs in 

I 'ali fijrnin and Northern Ucv;~tl;l. Rased on our scparalc gr.r\.cmmcrit- to-govt'rnn~cf~t 

rcl;ltinr~ship wit11 CX!I 'Prihc end in rccoyition of thc indix itIual ~rniclucncss of c:~cli . + I rihc. rhc ('ommission is rccl~lcstit~g to meet ant1 constblt scprrrntclq. nnct privntcly with 

u:tch inili\.id[~;il Tribc and its go~~crnrncntal and rcgul;ttnry amins Icatlcrs. In kceping 

xvill~ oitr cori~rnitrncnt fo gc>vcn~mcnt-to-gt)vcmmentribal consultotion, thc Commission 

113s rcsu~cd thc Snow C'rcck Ilonrd Koom in the 14'y1clhrlm Palm Springs I lntcF for the 

purpc~sc of rnccting and consul tins itnilIl individual "Tribes anti tl~uir lcsrlcn. Accortiingly. 

I am rcrl~lcsting a scparato govenlmcnt-to-govcmmcnt corradtation rncctiny wit11 you and 

nlhcr Ic;tJcr.~ rcyarding Indian gaming issucs. 

3lcctitlys call be scl~cdulcd on Tuesday. Jxnunry I 0'hhctwuen 1 :00 p.m. m-~rl 6:OCI p.m.. 

!!'cttncsriay. Jnnunry 1 1 '" bcttvccn 9:00 a.m. nr~d h:Ofl p.m.. anti on 'Fhrirsday. Jnnosry 1 ,71t' 

hctn.t.cn 2:M) p.m. :in3 6:CK) p.m Each mccfing will hc schcdulcrl Tot 15 rninutcs. 

During cach rnceting. the Somrnission wouId like to hunr and discuss yorlr cornrncnts. 

qt~cstions. concerns anti recornmcndotions rcgmding: 

* The Ctllor:ido Ri1.l.r 111c!i:a1 Tritw (C'RI'T) tour? dccisinn and 

propnscd nrncndmcnts of IC;KA tn clarify rhc scope of NIGC 

ovtrsigl~t and authority: 
'I hc C'r~mn~issir~n's prt)pcl.;cd rc\ isitbns (IS thc urlrrcnt n~lc 

clctinitionq -'fllcctronio or I<icctrc~rncchnnid l::~csimilr." (25 

('I.-It $ 502.8) rtnd "Othcr Ilinmcs SitniI;~r Irl I3ilig(<' (23 I'I'K 9 

502.c)) as they inf~rf3cc with 111c IIc.p:lrtn~crit of' Jt~sticc's propnsctI 

So!~tas~~n .\ct ;~mcndrnent s: 

I11c C'ornrnissicln's most rcccnt ~vorkiny tlrnti rrl' prvposcd I'lnss I1 

<;amc. C'Iassificntion Stand:& post~~d on ~!ic iil(;C' t\chsitc. ;IS 

111r.y intcrf;loc with t hc Ilcpanmcnt n f .I itst icc's propc>xt.tI Jollnsc~n 

;!cl arnentlmcnts: 

* -1 he C'crmmission's mnsr rccent sccond w~rking dnft ol' ('lass I! 

(inme 'Tcchnicnl Standards psrcd nn rhc N11it' wchsitc. as they 

intcrhcc nith the Dcpnrttncnt of Justicc'~ prnplscil Johnam Act 

:~mcntFmcnts: 

* 'I'hc third and fburth scts of proposctI 3 l IC'S revisions pr;rcd on t hc 

u I( rC- XVC~~~FIC: 

C'ommcn ts and discwqivn on SI;IR~:I~I~S Ebr cIcvcIoprncnt of 

unifrwn~ fcdcrrll stanrlnrds fc~r licensing 111' tribal gaming fncilitics 

h!, -1'ribct;: 

* Scnntor John XIcVain's proposed hill fo amcnri 1I;R:t's prtn.isions 

regardins U 1C;C' f~~nding (513 1335 1: 

Rcprescntative Richard Pomho's most rcccnt discussion draft hill 

(Novcmbcr 1. 2005) to amcnd Section 20 of ICiR,+Z rcparding 

Indian lands eligible for Tsihnl gaming and proposed RIA 

rcgulntions for taking land intr-r In!sl Ibt 'Tribes for prrrprxcs of 

gaming : and: 

!In!: other issrres on which yur Tr3hu \vc~uld Iikc to consult with 

thc ('ommission. 

To sc heciule your Trik's prb-nte government-to-government cc~nsultation mcer in? with 

the Commission. plcasu complete and fax the encl~~scd ~nceting rest.n:titjon form to MS. 

Rita tlnma at 703-6-32-0045 as soon as pssiblc. I'nch rnctting will he schcdulcd on n 

first come first scncd hasis with prcfcrcncc given to 'Tribes trnvcling the greater distance. 

If you have any questions rcgnrding the ~;cheduling or consultz~tictn process. please call 

mu or \Is. I lomn at 202-4 1 8-9803. 
C'ommissirrnrr ('hone.! ant1 I Ior~k fonvnrt! to mccting and consi~lting with 'frihcs ttnd 

thcir Ic;~dcrs c!uring our visit to I!'l(iC' ;lrrrl hope !.ou arc nl~lc tn schcdulc n mccting lsith 

Ilk. 

,' 

/' 
The Vaticrnnl Indian (irlrniny Commission (NlIiC' I will hc ;ittcndiny t!ic Yilatic>n:il Indian 

Ii:iming :\s~rjcintic~n (Yl( iil) YI)IHh Tradc Sho\v :~t~rl C't~rlvcnt ion in :tPbzr~~ucrqt~c. Nciv 

Vcxicr~. cln :lpsil 3-i. Ofh This is :]Is0 an cxccllcnt c~ppclrttrnity ro c~~nsult uith 

intli vitlu;il 'Tn11c.s In Kcu C1csic.r) and tlwir g(n+~rnr~it'~lt IC~CICTS. 

~?rc.i~rcncc ~vill bt. gilcn to New Mcxico 'I'sihcs shat were nut ablc zi) s~licclill~ 3 

cc>nsultntion rncctir~g durinz thc Souih\\.cst Indian Iirlrning L'rjnfcrcncc in 1:cbrunr-y. In 

keeping with our ~;t;~tr'd pol icy regarding gov'mn~cnt-to-~~)~~~mmcr~I tribal consul~ntion. 

the ('ommissinn 1i:is rcscrvctI thc C'uttcr Room in thc LIOII~ICI~C AIbli~lt~ert~~~c F Io~cI f;)r 

this purpose. :lccostfingly, I am requesting n separatc govcrnmcn t-to-y~~vernmcnt 

consu1t:ltion mccting ~vith you and other Icndcrs rcgartiing Indir~n gnnling issues. 

\,Icctin~s C:ITI bc' sct~r-clulcd on ciihcr Monday. April 3"' bct~vccn ;:(It) p.m. 2nd 5:00 p.m., 

'TucstI:ly. April -1'' hctu-ccn 10:00 a.m. and :00 p.m.. or Wcdnesd:ly. April '"7ctwccn 

1O:llO a.m. and j:00 p rn. Each mccting will kc schedulecI Ibr 35 rninutcq. :It lhcsc 

mccrinys, tlrc Commission lvoulti like tcl hc.x and cIisutlss your cc~mrncnts. questions. 

Conccms and r~~c,rnn~cnd:~t t om regarding: 

1'~ol~o~t~J ;~lncnrlnit'~~ts to I~C 111d HI (iarning Rrgulnlory Act ( t ( ; R !I ) as 

fratnctl in S. 20-5 VcCnin). \~~hjch nddrcss. among other things: 

I. t'larificntic~n of the scope of the C'urnrnissira's Minirnrlm 1ntcrn;ll C'ontrt~l 

St:mtl;trJs I tL.ITC*S) authority ovur class Ill gamine; 

2. Iispandcd scope ot'"gnrniny-rclntcd contrscts". ~vhich ~vollltl hc stth,icct to 

~IEC I'onll~i issi1111'4 r~~vic~~~ ant1 nyprtn-al: and 
7. Rc.\.ision.; rtl thc csceptions to thc prtlhihitir.rr~ or1 pnr~~ir~g on 1;md acquired 

afrcr I'IXS. 

Proposed IcgisIntion 1I.R. 4843 (Pomh~) to:~-imr.nd sccticln 20 of thc Inclian 

(;;iin1 [I;! licgll tatorl; :kt (ICiK.4 I to restrict o If-rcscmt~ion gaming. 

* I'r~poscd arncndmcnts to thc fomuIa that sets the Commission's annu:~l 

Ei~ndizlg. as linnwd in S. 1 295, u.liich has passed thc Senate anti is pencling 

I-rcfbrc thC I l{>usc Kcsourccs I'ornmittcc. 

* I'ruy,srlls to morc clcnrIy ident iii. the di\.icti~~g line het iveen non-cornpnclcd 

Class I! gaming and conipnctcd C'lass 111 gaming. incIz~ding the I)t.pr~r~tncnt of 

Justice's ds:lft :imcndrncnt of tilt Johnson Act ( 1 5 [IS<' 3 1 1 7 1. r?f scq. and 

~hc (-otnmission's tFrtlft cfnssiiicatic~n and tcchnicsl stonclards fi~r tc.dinoloyic 

aid3 !o ( 'lass I1 grn~li~ig. 

a Pcndin~ prrlposctl nilcs tn rnndil) thc 3IIC'S. 

I'rnpos:~ls that i\\.nulil rcq~iire applications fir 'l'nbnl gartlinr fhcilit? liucnscs to 

spcclf? 3nC1 ccrtif> that tht' fi~ciliry is (In *-lndian 1,ands" ant! to idcnril j the 

c.n\~inlnrnc.ntal. health and puhlic safety stnntIards that itpyl! tr> ahe hciliry and 

ccnif). corriy li;~ncc- thcrcivith. 

To schcdnlc your 1 rille's meeting \vs-ith thc C'ommissitln. plcasc cornplctc and fils thc 

tncloscd mccring r~scr\~ation I'om to 14s. Rita l-lona at 202-h.72-0045 ns qtlon as 

possihlc. I-::rch rncctit~g 11 ill hc scl~cdulcd on a first-cnmc-first-scrvcd hasis, 

If you h:ivc :In? cl~icstio~~s scgnrding thc suhcdt~lin~. plcasc call rnc or 31s. I Ioma 31 201- 

4 1 8-0807. 

I look for\xnrd tcl mccting \\.it11 Nctv ~,ICC'S~CO ?*rihcs and their ltndcrs dtiritig the XI('rA 

Convention ;ind rradc Shnn. and hope you 3rt. nhlc to schcd~dc n rntctin~ niiI1 us. 

, 

,' 

, 

/ 

Philip ~-~o~ctr' " 

LCIl~irman 
Sharon \i'hitcht.:kr. Chairperson 

)lo-('hunk Nation 

P.O. Ros hh7 

Black Rivcr Falls. W1 5451 5 

GOVERYYlEST-TO-GOVERNRIENT C'OYSUI,I'ATION 

SOTICF :\Nn REQUEST 

Pursuant to our cornrnitrncnt to go\-t'mmcnt-to-~ovemment tribal consultation and in 

kccping with our stated policy. tl~c National Indian Gamin2 Commission (NIGC) !xrill hc 

in Rlot~min~ri-m. Minnesota for the 1~'~ Annual Great Plains~%idwcst Indian Gaming 

,2ssociation Confcrcncc and Ttadc Show on Tucsrlay. May 22"" and \trcdnesday. May 

23"'. 7007. for thc purposc of rnccting and consulting scparatcly ~vith individual Tribes in 

Michiyan, Minnesota 'Yf5sconsjn. Iowa, Montana Nchraska. North Dakota, South 

Dnkotn ant1 !Vyorning. 

Rascd on our separatc gnvcmmcnt-to-govemmenf relationship with each Tribe and in 

rccogniticln of the individ~~al uniqueness of cach Tsihc, tbc f ommission asks io mcct and 

consult scparatcly and privately with each individual Trihc and its govcrn~~~enlntal and 

rcy~latoy samins Icailcrs. The Commission has rcscnretl tl~e Atrium 3 Room in thc 

Sl~craton R Ionrnington Hotel for this purpose. Mcetinss ttinlcs may hc schertulcd on 

Tucsrlal;. May 22"" hct~vccn 9:00 p.m. and 5:OO p.m. mtl Wcdncsday. May 73'" bhctwcen 

9:OO a.m. and 17:00 p.m. Fach rnceting n+ill bc scheduled Tor 45 rninvtcs. !I1 these 

meetings. the ('ommission xvould Iikc to hcar and discuss your cornmcnts. questions. 

conconis and rccommcndntjons rcgnrdin_e: 

Proposcd classi ficat ion regulations to hctter disting~ish ht.tlVccn tcchnic:~Ily nidcd 

C'lass I1 games and rlass Ill clcctrr>nic or clcctt-omccl~anicd hcsirnilcs; 
Scr~pc of N1C;C"s rcgrtlation of C'lass Till gaming activitic's in light of Court 

I~oldings in hlorrrrlo Ri1.r.r Irlriim Trihas 1. .I'll;( ' li tipation: 

Planning for N 1CiC-s compl iancc lvith the Government Pcrformancc Kcsults Act 

(C;PR..l r. including budgct rcvit.u.. trainin? and technical nssistancc: 

Kc$ulations proposed hy the Dcpafirnunt of thc Inturior to cstnhlish standards Tor 

implementing off-rcscn.ntion gaming accluisitions (Section 20) of ICiR.4 and 

atncnding Rtvcnuc :lllocntinn Plan (R.4P) rcgulalic>ns: 

PmposnIs fir scgirlntions concerning triM liccnscs for gaming fi~cilitics. 

spccii).ing "Indian I.ands" on which the gaming is cnnductcd. idcnti &ing thc 

cnzirnnmcntt~I. hcalth and puhPic m,?li.t> standards that :appI> to tile facility and 

ccrti fyirig ct>mpliancc thcrulr-ith: 

* Proposals Ii~s rrgulnticlns to reduce thc rcquircnicnt to submit fccs to twicc a wear 

from tijur lirncs n car: to allow tribes to rcqwst n rcduccd scope audit in c~rtain 

ci~urnstanccs: to I~~BTC and clnnfy the management cont~tct rcgularinns: and to 

revise fllc dctinition of nct rcvenlrc.: and 

Other gaming rcgi~lnrnr issues nf concern of 'our 'l'ribc. 

Plc:lsc cornpIrte and fax thc cnclosed mecting rtservnrion f'orm to Ms. Rita Homa at 302- 

632-0015 tn schcduk your Tti be's pr?~:itc govcmmtnr-to-govcmmcnt consultation 

mer-ling ~vi~ll thc ('ommission. 3s soon as po~sible. Each mccting \\ill he schcrlirlcd nn :I 

first comc first st'wcd b~sis \vi th preference given to 'Pri bcs ~ravcl ing thc gscnttr distzncc. 

If you ha1.c an!. yuesrions regarding the scheduling or cclnsultatic~n process. plcnst. cz~ll 

rnc or 41s. T loma nr 207-4 18-'38137. 

C'c~rnrnissioncrs I'honry. DesRnsims. and I look fonvxd to meeting and consul tin5 with 

'Trihcs and their 1c;ldcr~ d~~ring our visit to the Great PIains?vlidwest Indian Iiaming 

rlssmiation C'tlnfcrence and hope you arc abFc to schedule n meeting with us. 
I?:I~cI~ 1711 ottr sq~;ir:!tc ~cI~c~~TTIc~I-~cI-~~ov~~~I~II~c~~~ rt-I:lt~o~~ship ik 1111 C;~C 11 '1 rilw ;tntl 111 

rcco!:niti<m o[~l~c indit~du;ll uniqueness of each 'F'rit>c. thc ('onlrnissioi~ asks to mcd and 

consult st.l~:lr:ltcly :mil pri~ :itel. wrth c;~ch inrli\.lrlu;tl '1'riFc ;1nd its ;ovcnin~cnt;~l nrlri 

rcy11i;ltclry k?;anin!r 1c;lilcrs. -111e Comnrission h:is rcscn.cd Room 20s 11 CC 13 in tliu West 

Ilnll in thr* I71o~nis ('on~tcntion C'cntcr lirr this pllrpclsc hlc=i~tingx lilr~cs m:ly hc 

~chr*tlt~lcrl on I \lz.<rlay. 3l;lrch 7~'"~e11\ ccrd '1 r#r p.m. 5:Ofl p.m ;mrl LVcdrscsrla~. 

\!:irC!i 2~'" hrtn L-LT 0.410 i1.m. ;t~id 5:041 p III I{,ICII ~~icrtir~y lvil! bv ~L-!ILY!I~I~YI For 45 

Iliirlutcs ,It 111csv ~n~ctinys. thc ('ommissinn i~tluld I~kc ti) hc;lr :knil ri~sc~lss yonr 

COIITI?I~-II ts. ~jl~cst ions, cl,nccn:s and rcc~rnn~~.nd:t! i~ws rr.yartf in!!: 

Ilr;rli prr qlrisctl tCc.hnlcal stn~irIartls ti)r ( 'l;l>r II y;~rn!~~y rcpl~prnr-ni. 
* I'l;~~ininy tiv Ylli("s coinpliancc t~-il11 the Gc>vernmcnt I'crforn~n~icc Results Act 

(l iI'li:Z 1. including budget rc~.ieil. training and Icchnicnl r~qsistnncc: 

Rup~~l;rlions propc~scd by tllc I)cp:lrtmcnt of tl~c Intcrior tr, cstnlllish standards for 

implcmcr~ting t~fl'-rcscn~ati~~n griming acquisition?; (Sccliclt~ 201 01' I(;li,.'i and 

arncnriing RL'T, C~UC ~lrll~cati~~~~ I'lan R.11') scgul;ltir>ns: 

* I'rt~pi~s:ils for rcgulnrions concerning tribal l icenscx for g;iminy huil i tics 

iiicnt it5 ing tlac cnvironmcntal. hcr~lth and public s;ift.ty stand;~rds thfi~ nppt! to the 

fbcilir: and certifying co~npli:rncc. tl.tcrcu.i~h and. ri~r ncn gaming clycr:ttions. 

specil) irap 11ic "Indian I.nnds" ol' the plnrcs. ficilitics. or locations on whic11 

gn~nint,! \fill tlccur and ccflifying th~ status of'thcs~ I;lnrls: 

* I3rc>pos;ds for regulations to rcducc. rhc rcquiremcnt to suhniit kcs to tivicc a year 

frclm fimr times n year: FO allot\ triks 10 rt'qtiest a rtldr1cr.d scopc audii in certain 

circitrnsranccs: to update and clnrit). thc nianrtgcment contract regulations: anti to 

rc\ iw tl~c dc!irlItion of IIC~ rcvt'nuc: nncl 

ISthcr g;rrnirry rcguI;l~on. issues of ccmccn~ oi' your 'I'sihe. 

Plt.;wc unmplctc andl Ijs Iht. encI~>.;cd rnccting scscrvation fbmi to Ms. Kita I loma 31 203- 

h.;?-flf~-15 t{) schc~lit It. !.our 'I'sibu's pri\-nfc gavcrnmcnt-t o-gci~cn1~1cn1 consuI t:~tion 

mccling i! i~h tllc ('C~IIIIII~SS~OII. 2s 5(1on as possible. ilacl~ ~nccting 1vilE hc schcrfulcd on a 

tirst-co~ric.. lir~i-s~'nc~1 hisis ~vifh prcftstncc gi\.cn to 'I'rihcx tro\cling trhc yrtlattr 

dist:lncc-. 

If' >(hi I1;n c 'ltl! quest ion.; rrgrlrrliny thc sclicduling (1.r consullalion procc-ss. plcasc call 

nit. or \lx Ilcm~:~ at ?013-118-")XOJ. 

C"ornmissinncr\ I'I~onc.>. I1csRusic.r~. and I trwk liin~md to ~nc.c.rit.ig and consulting with 

'I'rihcx and illcis Ic:~rIcr.; during our visil to the NIliA C'oni-cn~ion :~nd Trndc Sho~s and 

hopo yrlt~ art' ;lhlt 11) SC'IICL~~~C ;E rnccting with us. 
Federal Register l Vol. 73, No. 22 /Friday, Februay 1, 2008 / Rules and Replations 6031) 

-- - -. - -- 

[ir) Zilpatarnl alnns nr in combination (fl * ' 555R.665 Zllpaterol. 

as in 5 538.665. (2) ' ' ' ***.* 

3. In 5 558.625, add paragraph (ix] Zilpatml alone or in combination (el Gnditions of use in cottlp. Tt is [fl(Z)[is) to mad as folIa\\~: as in 5 558.665. administered in fwd a% follows: 

9 SSL625 Tylosln, 

**.** 4. In 5 558.665, rev is^ pampph (e) to 

mad as follo~vs: 

(4) 6.8 to provide Monensln 70 to Came fed in confinemen! fw slaughter: As 

60 to 90 rr@ 40, pigs tyfnsln ! in paragraoh (@)(I) of this sechon: for 

hcadday 8 to :CI , prevent~on and control of Eoecleios!s dim ' to E~rn~rn bvrs and E. memrr; and for 

I r&uctior; d ~ncideme of lrver abscesses 

mused by FvS&ac!8rjwn nmrobbourn 

I and Arcartoldtwc:er~um (Acfinomyc?~} 

pmenes. 

As in paragraph (e)(l) of this &on: see 1 05m6 

, &558.355[6) and 558.525(c) of this 

chaprer. Monensrn anc! wlosin as pmwdee by No. 000986 in $51 3.600Ic) of 

th~s chapter. 

Feed mtlnuwsty as the sole ratron dvring 

the last 2(5 to 40 days on feed. wjthdrawal perfad: 3 days 

- - .- 

- - 

(1) 6.8 to pmde 1 Came te5 in canlinment for slaughter: For 

National Indian. Gamlng Cornmissron 

60 to w np 

haadday 

! 

- - 

(2) IResern 1 -- .- -- 

(3) [R~nredj 

25 CFR Parts 502,522,559 and 573 

~ncreasd rate of weight galn, improved 

few PfMency, and increased tx-cass 

leanness m came fed In canf~nernent :or slaughtc- dunng the last 20 to 4 ttays 

on feed. . -. - - 

FaeifHy License Standards 

AGWV: National India11 Gaming 

(:runmissinn p4'\TIGC" or 

"Cnmmissron"]. 

ACTION: Final rille. 

suvlunuv: The rule adds new sections 

anti R new part to the Commission's 

raqtilaiianr that mquire trihcs to adopt 

and rni'orce stanrlards for hcility 

Iirens~s. These stanrlarrls rr.111 hnlp Ihs 

(:onmissinn ensure :hat each place. 

f;lcri:ty or lncatinn rvhrrr: class I: nr class iII gnrr.in$ will occur 1s located on lndian lands ~iigibln Fnr gamine as 

requlted by thc Intiinn Griming 

R~gulatory Act. The mles rviI! ensute 

thijt gaming facilities are constructed. 

rnnir~tained ant1 op~ratad in a manner that atleq~!ateI!. protects the 

~n~irnnn?rrlt and t!lr prthlic health and 

safetv. 

DATES: Effective March 3. 1008, 

FOR FURTHER RFORMATION MHIACT: 

P~nny 1. Coleman, Acting G~n~rat 

Cuunscl. at 202-632-7003; fax 202- 

631-TO66 (not toll-free nnmht?rs). 

SUPPLEMENTARY lHFDR?AATlON: 

On October 17.1888. Congress 

enacted the Indian Gaming Rquhtoq 

Act r'TGM" or "Act"). 25 1J.S.C. 2701- 

21, mating the National Indian Gaming 

Commission ("NIGC" or '*Commission"l 

and developing a comprehensive 

framer\-ork for tho regulation of gaming on Indlan IRR~S. 25 L.S.C. 2702. The 

UTGC: was granted. among other things. 

tho authority to pmmulaate such 

rpgnlatinns and guid~lincs as it deems 

apprupriete to in~plenenthe pro~!sions 

oi :C;Rr\, 15 U.S.C. 270fib)[f 0). as rvell 

as ove~xight and enforr~rnent authority. 

includinq the authori~ to monitor tribal 

compliance with the Act. Commission 

mgulatinns. and tribal gaming 

osdinancrs. 

First. the lGR9 allows gaming on 

Indian Isnda pnm~ant to 25 U.S.C. 

2703:4), anti ~t contains a g~neral 

pfahil3ifion agaEnst gamin; un lands 

acquired into trust by the Xnitsd Stetcs 

fnr the benefit of the trihe after the Act's 

effective data of October 17.1988, 

unless one of several exceptions are 

met. 35 U.S.C. 2i1g. The Commission 

has jurisdiction only over gaming 

operations on Indian lands and 

t!:erefore must estnhliah that it has 

jur~sdiction as a prerequisite to its 

rnonitnrin~, enfnrmment. and w~rsiph! 

duties. 25 U.S.C. 2702I3). 

SRCOH~. t11~ XTGC IIPA~S to 011t~in 

infnrmation on a fribp'~ ~nvimt~na~ntal 

anrl put)lic health anrl snfpty laws tr~ 

over'iee :he implammtnt~on of npprnvatl 

tribal gaming nrc!inances. B~fom 

openin? a gamin2 opmation, a trihe 

must ac:op: an ordir?anc~ governing 

gmining activiti~a nn ~tr; Indian Inncis. 25 

U.S.C. 271 0. The Act spacifirs a nrrrnher 

of rnantlatnv prnvisions tn iw contained 

in each ~rihal gaming ordinanm anrl 

subjects such orrlinnncos to tllr: NIGC 

Cha~man's appmvn!. Id. Appmval bv 

the Chairman is pr~dicat~d nn thr 

inclusion of each nt the Act's ~ecifi~d 

mandatory provisions in the trlhnl 

gaming ordrnanca, Id. .\munp, thrsa is a spquirr~mcnt that th~ ortlinilr?~~IIIS~ 

contali] a prorislon ensurinz that "'thp 

construction and maintenance of the 

gamins operation, anrl tFip np~tation of 

that gamirl~ is cnnd~trt~ri in a manner 

that adequately protwts the 

~nvironl~~~nt anti t!lr: public h~al th and 

safety." 25 :'.S.C. 27 nl?)):2HE). Sincr 

1993, wh~n the Commission t)esarr.e 

op~ratiu~~al. tlw Chairman llac wpirted 

eqch trilyal gaming orcllnance sulnnitted 

for approval rn includp the cxpmss 

environmental and public health and 

aaf~tv statement set nut in 25 I!.s.C. 

~~I~~][ZI[E). 

The Commission beli~ves that tribes 

must haye snme form of basic laws in 

the follo~vin:: environmentat and pnt~lic 

health mind safety areas: [I ) Ernri-gency 

preparedness. rncf~tding but not Iirnited 
6020 Federal Rcgistrtr l Vol. 7 3, No. 22 /Friday, February 1, 2008 1 Rules and Regulations -- -. 

to firp suppr~ssion. law enforcement on the economv of $100 million or commissions: 3 fmm citizens' 

and smlritv: {?I food anti pntahl~ water: more. The rules will not cause a major associations: 3 kern gaming associations 

(31 conslnxction and maintenance: [4) increase in costs or prices for and I ~ach fmm a goramor's 

har~rdous mate ria;^: and :5) sanitation consumers. individual industries, association, a county. a pr~vate citizen. 

[hnth solid waste and u~ast~rvater]. Federal, state or 1~3 government a sate environmental agency, and a 

Accanlinglv, in 2001. the Commission agencies or gecgraphic regions and does carrlroom. Manv of the comments were 

issued an inte'prptive nile to ensure the not have a sigmficant advanc! effect on grouper1 hs~d on thp colnmnn topics 

adaq~late ptntedon of the ~nrimnment, competition, employment. investment. addr~sssd. The Commission carefully 

prllllic henhh. anrl safrty. 67 FR 467 09, productivity. ~nnoration, or the ahiliv reviewed all t:omments anr! whprp 

JuI. 12. 2002 ["lnterpr~tir~~ Rul~?"], nf U.S.-hased enterprises to compete apprnpriatt? revised tlie final ntlr to 

Thp MICX has conductpd many with foreign-based cntrrprisea. rt:flcct thaw comments. The comrn~nts 

cnvimnlnenl and pubiic ilealtll and L~~~~~ gd Man RPfOm Act and the N!GC response iulluw. 

saf~tr in~ppdions since the isqllance of 

The Cornmimion, as an Comments Questioning NIGC Authority ?he I~f~rp~~fil'~ RUIP and has worked 

with a consultant tn a1 jnrr. the agency to ragulatov agency within the To Pmmulgotr the Fac~liy Limnsr: 

pin cxprrtisc In this an-3. Through ;his Department of the Interior. is exempt Standcds l 'ndm lGAA 

~nspectien proc~ss, the hTGC has from compliance with the Unfunrled M~nr ofthe comments to the 

idrnt15pd tv~akness~s in tribal laws or Mandates Rofonn Act, z U.S.C. I~OZ[T); proposed Facility License Stalldads 

enfn~~rnent !h~r~nf and has trrarked 2 L.S.C. 658[1). Regardless, the rul~ pertained to the Commission's 

%vi!!t tri'tw to ~tlr~ d~fici~ncies. The does not impose an mandate authority. I\:@ address the sp~cific issuw 

Colnm!s%lan has al~o rdmt ific!d sel.emI on state. local, or tribal novpmnments or ""'1 Commission rPs?OnSR llrlnw* 

d~ficir~lcirs in the Int~rpr~tnfive IZ~llrt 

that rvil: hr: correct~d 111. t hr Pncili~ 

Licensr Standarcis. NarneI!-, ~IIP 

Interpr~tivc! R~rlr! dops not assist the 

Commission in identiklng what 

environm~ntal anrl pul)lic health and 

safety latr.s apply to each gaming 

opcrntion nor does it cnnlrc that tribal 

garnlrlg replaton7 authorities are 

rnforring rllosr laws. 

'Sllerr IS n :lwc! for a submission to 

rhc! (hmmission of a cerrification by the 

trilw that it has enacted or id~ntified 

laws applimh!e tn its gaming operation 

and is !n compliance wl:il then? together 

with a dwilrn~nt listing thnsr? laws. This 

pmncess \vill mahle trihrs and th~: 

Cornmissinn tn ir!antiSth pmi,lem areas 

\rvli~re Iarvs am needed so that the NTGC 

may oU(,r technical afivjce and 

PncnuragP adoptinn and enforcement of 

apprnpriat~ :ntr.~. The find !:acilip 

Llcens~ Stantlards will no! replace the 

Jntr*rpmtivv Rule hut rvill rr-ork in 

cnnj~:nc!ion with it. Thp final rule docs 

not preclude the Chairman's autllority 

to fakc an ~nforcernent action in the 

erlcn: imminent jeopardy exists at a tribal gaming facili:~. 

Regulatory Matters 

K~,ntrlntny F!c?Eihf/jty Aci 

The rule ~+-ilI not have a significant 

emnomic pffrct On ti suhstan:ial number 

of srnalI ~ntitirs as d~finerl untler the 

R~,gulato~ Fl~xihility :lc:. 5 I-.S.C. 601, 

P! s~q. vvlor~ot.r?r, lnrlian tribes are not 

cnnsiderrd to he srr.aI1 en ti ti^^ for the 

purpnsrs of th~ RcguIntor!. flexibility 

Ad. 

The n~le ia not a major nile under 5 

U.S.C. 804[21. the Small Rrrsinesa 

Reglaton* Enforcamcnt I..airness Act. 

Thp rule dom nnt have a!i annual effect 

on the private sector of korp than 31 00 

mi1l:on per pear. Thus. it is not a "significant replatonr action" under 

the L:lifunded Mandate5 Reform Act. 

In accordance with Emutive Order 

12630. the Commission has d~termined 

that the rule does not have significant 

takings implications. it takinjis 

implication asseqsment is nnt require$. 

Civil Justice Reform 

In accordance with Executive Order 

12988, the Office oFGeneral Counsel has 

determined that the rule does not 

untluly burden the judlcial system and 

meet the requtrements of sections 3(a] 

and 3[h)(2] of the Order. 

.vflfj~nel Enlimnrnen?~! PoIi~r Act 

The Commission has dstarmincd that 

the rule does nnt conditute a major 

frdml action significantly affvctinp the 

qualttv ofthe human environm~t~t and 

that no detailed statement is required 

pursuant to the National Envimnmal~tal 

I'nlicy Adt of 1969, 42 [J.S.C. 4321, pt 

ST. 

Pnpenr~ork Reduction Act 

The hllowing final Facilip Licensing 

Standards requip information 

collection under the Papmork 

Redudon Act of 1995,44 U.S.C. 3901, 

~t seq.. and are subrect to review bl: the 

OFfice nf Wanag~m~nt and R~rdga. 

We requested written comments from 

the pubIic on the proposed Facility 

License Standards 172 FR 59044) during 

the comment period that oppnad on October 18. 2007, and closed or1 

December 3, 20137. During that comment 

period we sec~ived 81 comments: 70 

from tribal governments or tribal g~ming 

Serml commcntcrs stated that the 

proposed rul~ improperly intrudes upon 

tribal sorrercignty in the absence of a clearly expmssetl intent hy Congmas to 

do sa and sepks to replace the tribe's 

sovereign rqulatory authnritp with 

NTGC's authcrity. Stater! ~ariousiy. the 

prnposed nrf~ trnuld sornp~l tht: tribes 

tn adopt NlGCx facility liccne~ng 

st~nd~rds inst~ar! of the tnl~cs' own. or i: rz*o~ild compel the trihes tn enad 

positlye lax%- and then pant the NIGC 

the right tn jutl~~ tht= arlaqua~ nf that 

law. 

The Cnmmission disa~ws with these 

characterizations of 31:KA ~ncl of th~ 

proposed n1l~'s purposr and 

consequents. The Co~nmission 

rt?cngt>iz~s that trihes an= tlip primary 

m~ii~~tom nl Indian gaming and has nn int~ntion or desir~ to intr~rrio upon that 

vital ml~ or to usurp ttihal autlloritu. 

Thzrs, in the aenrral nsc, th~ ntl~ cinlv 

asks each tril~r to identify ant1 ~nlorc~ 

the laups it has adopted to ensure the 

ht-at& and safetv of tho puhl ic and the 

environment, i.e.. thr lnws or sfandards 

it has adapted in thp. areas or cmPrgnnn 

preparedness, food and potnblr wntpr. 

constmction and maintenance, etc. 

Them is no requirement th~t a trihe 

~dopt and enforc~ any partinrlnr law. 

The Commission merely wishes to 

know. Tor ~xampla. ~vheth~r a trih has 

written its own fire cO~R, whrrther it has 

adopted a county's codr. or rvhrtl~m n 

tribnl-state compact prnvirles for tho 

ap+p!icatien of tl particular fir^ cotlc. 

:t 1s nnlv in thr unrlsr~al case wh~m 

a tribe has adopted no, or obviously 

inadequate, health and safe-ty stanrlards 

that the rule trrould i~~sist that the tribr? 

adnp? 1~~~~s. That. howrver, places no 

obliqation on thr: trih that <!ow not 

alw,~dp exist. ICRA ohliqntes tach trihc, 

thrnugh its gaming ardiniinca, to ensure 
Federal Register l Vol. - - -- .- 

that thr? construction, maintenance, and 

npcration of ~ach trifial ~arntng facili:~? 

is corsducted in a rnannpr that 

adeq~:ateIy protects :he enr:ronmpnt 

anti the pubIic heaith anrl safetip. 25 

Y.S.C ?710:t1j(l)(':j. In shor:, the mla 

encmach~s HO further on triIlaI 

snvrrrignp than IGL4 alrencty has. 

Lik~t~ist?, the Cornmissin11 alwndy 

"jtitf~m" the adquay of tribal h~nlth 

and s~f~ty sanrlarrls. Tlit? Commission 

almariy has. an11 already exercise^. 

ov~rsight msponsihiiity for health and 

safrt~ at tribal gaming npsratinna. As 

with all RSPC~~ nf r~znlating Indian 

garnlng, the prlrnarp respunsibilitv 

Z>t!iungs tn th~ trihes. anrl :he 

(:nmn:ir~inn plays only an oversight 

role i~ndst the Commission's existing 

intprprptivp ride, 1;7 m 4fi109. T!le 

adnptlon of the n~lp rvntrid make no 

rhany to this arrangement. 

sr~cral commenters stated that the 

WGT. has nn arrthnrlty to require 

arloptlon of specific haaltli anrl safety or op~rational s?anrl;lrds b~cans~ fGRA 

crln:alns no such standards. 

.I! thrlugh IGKA rln~s lint en~lm~rat~ 

spwific Ilcaaltb as~rl snf~tv nquiremmts 

for gamin? facili!i~s, t?~ .kt r~quirss 

that the crlnstruction, maint~na~lct? and 

npttrn:inr~ nTa gaming facility "is 

cnnrl~~rrt~d in a naIlrlcr rr?licI~ 

atlquat~ly prntec-b the ~nrimnm~nt 

an[! the pul)lic health and safe+." 25 

L;.S.C. ZilO(tr)[? )(E). Con,y~ss created 

tht= hq.TTGC, 25 L.S.(:. 2704(8!. and gave it 

t!lc spmific authority to 'prnmulrate 

such reylations and guidelines as ~t 

rtwms apprnpriate ;n impl~m~nt the

provision:: o! !IGKA].'* 25 l,'.S.C. 

'~;rlti[l,](lol. T!lc Commission is doing 

sn llpre. This n~le rnanriatrs that tribes 

iden!ifr., nnd crrtify their enforcement 

of. :hr ii~altfi and saf~ty laws, 

rcsniutinns, cnries. pnl~cies. dandards 

nzlilinr pmt?il!~r~s that apply tn tllc~s 

prning npcmtlnns. 'I'herr?om. the rule 

~mplrments thp rqt~iremnnts of 25 

11.S.C. ?710$][l)[E). Further. when 

certain trrrns are IISP~ h~trjn tn d~srribe 

applicahlr? 1leal:tl anr! safety 

ri~clr~irrmmts. such Im\-t.~. molutions. 

corleq, po1ic:w. sianrl~rrls nndlor 

proc~dl~r~s, rlw use uT srich t~rm or :mms is nnt meant to cxclud~ all other 

terms nl similar meanin:. 

S~v~ral cot?l!npnters s!ated th~t h7GC 

has nn a~~tliority to attach specific 

rquir~ments, such as a ihr~e-vear 

ren~rvai period, to issuing n fasilic 

I~cnnsc hrcnuse IGRA contains no such 

qu~remmts. Othcr commenters 

su,ygrrttrd that the :hre~rrear renerval 

perinrl 1%-as itrhi trary. 

'I'lrr. Coinmiss~on agrees that IGRA 

does not spec! Fy any period of renewal or other conditions :D the obligation to 

issue a hcllitr license. The Co:~mission 

73, No. 22 /Friday. February 1, 2008 /Rules and Regulations 6022 

disagrees, however. with the 

commsnt~rs' conclusion that the 

Comrnlssion therefore Iacks the 

authority to psomulgate such 

requirements. The r.nrnm~ssion also 

disagrees that the thw-year renewal 

period is arbitrary, as ~t ~s a reasonable 

prrlod to periodicaIly review changi?s in 

trihzl rquirernents andlor changes in 

physical cimimstnnccs at a gaming 

fncilitv. 

ICR:/\ obli~atm each tribe to license its 

Ram! ng facil~tiss: "A separate license 

issuerl by the Indian tribe shalI be 

required for each place, facilitp or 

locat!on on Indian lands at which Class 

Il gaming is conrluct~d." 15 U.S.C. 

271 oblIal. YGRA also obligates each 

tribe, throuch 11s gaming ordinance, to 

ensurp that tli~ construction, 

maintpnanm, anrl oppration of each 

tribal gaming facility is candndd in a mannpr that adequatelv protects fie 

environment and tlre public health and 

safety. 25 U.S.C. 2il0*](1){E]. What 

exactly is required by cach of these 

sections. or when it is rrquired, 

!IOW-PYF?~, Congress did not say. Congress 

has nelther the institutional expertise nor the inclirlntian to specify ell 

m~fulnto~ d~tilils in thlq or any other 

orzanic statutr for any rqulatonr 

azrncp, rtccnrdingly, it creates 

rr.q~tlattny ag~ncips and ~i~es to them 

tl:p r~s~onsi;Jili~ to fill in those gaps. 

Conqress created thr: NTGC, 25 i:.S.C. 

2704[n), and gnr-e it the specific 

authnrity to "promulgat~ sr~ch 

regulations and guid~lines as it deems 

appropriate to ircpleicent the pmvisions 

o: :h~s chapter li.e., IG&II." 25 U.5.C. 

2 ;D6(b)[l nl. The Comm~ssian has 

da~r.cd ~t appro print^ to impfement the 

specific pmrisions set out in 25 U.S.C. 

2710[h][1) and ?,ID[b)[f JE]. 

TI!P nsle docs not rPqulre that each 

facilrt? be l~mnsed only Pvea three 

years. Rather, the rule requirw th~t a facility be lxensed no less frqusnt1~ 

than oncn every thm years. proposed 

25 CF'K 35'3.3, and the Cornmisslon 

obspn.es that most tribes license their 

~aming facilities more fmquently. The 

cholcr nf a thre~year M~ZII~~RI period is 

ti-lprefnw mnsident rvith, and larg~ly 

encompasses. the triks' existin:: 

practices. The rule also rq~rires that the 

hihe submit a list of applicable health 

and safpty laws and certify its 

compliance with them. Proposed 25 

Cm 53.55. The Commission has 

deemed it appropriate to implement the 

specific pmrisions i~r 25 U.S.G. 

271R[i~](1) and 2710[b)[l)(E]. 

By seekin3 to have tribes periodically 

license gaming facilities and identify the 

health and snfcty nll~s they enforce, th~ 

rule creates clechanisms by which the 

trilles and the Commission can ARSI~W 

that gaming facilities am limnsrd and 

that th~ir constnidion, rnaintpnancp 

and op~rrrtinn is "conductrd in a 

manner which adaqt~ataly protects the 

environm~nt and the public hpal t h ant1 

saf~tv." 23 U.s.C:. 171 O/h)jlj/E). 

S~berai cnmrnenters stated that NIK 

has no authority to rrqutre slihrnimions 

of facility licens~s. n list ofall 

applicable health anr? s;rfr.ty lxrvs and 

standards, or an\. tIocl~m~nts nthm than 

rhnsr spttcifir~lly identifier1 in IGR4 

such as: [I) Annual aurlit reports: C2I 

proposed gaming ortl~nance~: (3) notice 

of the jssuanct! nF a pn~ing lic~na~ to 

key employees and primary 

managament officials: anrl (4) an ap Iir ation for ~~PFregulation. 

Th~hti ~ornmission ar:ePs that tGM 

does not specifically trl~nti? the 

mhmisilionr mq~iird [IV th~ prnpomd 

rule. The Comc:ission disagcw that the 

cnmment mntairls an exhaustive list of 

doclimtnts ~~110s~ s~~bmission IGRA 

specifically rpq11ii-e~. Thr rornment 

omits, for exanlple, the suhmlssiun of 

management contracts rot thr 

Chairman's rm0ipw anrl appmuai. 25 

U.S.C. 51 1. Thp Cornmissinn nlsn 

disagrws rrritl~ the comrnr~lt~s' 

con~tusion that tllv iihilit! tu wqttire 

subrnission nf infnrmation is lictitarl tn 

tllosr: snrcific sulxnissinns rdentifipd in 

1C;R.l. 

As to thc submission of the facility 

license itself and tile infnrrnation nhnrlt 

health anrl safcfy laws and compliance 

that must accurnpanv it, IGM, apin, 

obligates each trihe to limnse its gaming 

facilities. 25 G.S.C. 271 O[l,)(l j. IGIIA 

alsu obligates each tribe, through its 

gaming nrdinance, to pnszlrp !h;lt the 

constructrun, maintenance, and 

opcratron of each tribal ~arnin~ facility 

is conducted in a mannrr that 

adq~ii:eI~ pmtccts the ~nvironrnent 

a~~ci thr public l~ealtll and snf~tr.. 25 

L7.S.C. 2710:h)[l)[Ii;. What ~xaclly rs required rach of thew sertinn~. 

however, Congress did not say. Congress 

bas neither thr ~nstitutinnal expc?rbisr! 

nor the inclination to spacifv all 

re~ulatov c~ptails in thrs or any nth~r 

organic stnt~~te forany rc-gulntorv 

agrnq. ,\ccord~nglr, it rreat~s 

rt,;trlatoy ngencirs and rs to thrm 

th~ rcspons!bility to Fill In thos~: Raps. 

Congress created thp hiGI:, 25 i ;.S.C. 

2704(n], and Rave it the specific 

authority tu "~lmmul~att: s11r.h 

reg~latinns and guidt-lines as it deems 

appropriate to implement the provision3 

of this chapter ll.e., IGKr\].'' 25 U.S.C. 

2706$)/10). The Comnnssion has 

deerncct it appropriate tcl implement the 

specific pmrisions set out in 25 Li.S.C. 

2;10$)(T) and 27101b)[I)[Ej. 

B? seeking to haw tsibt:s periodiraIly 

licelise garnlng facilities an[! identifr, the 
6022 Federal Register JVol. 73, No. 22 [Friday. Eebmq I. 2008 J Rules and Replations - - .- - - - - - -. - -- - --- 

h~alth and SSI~P~ rides they ~nforce. the Commision for appmval. Rather, the 11 few cornmenten stated that the 

rule matm mechanisms hr. which the n11~ simply requirel: that 1.20 days prior NIGC mav not issue these wulat~nns 

trilm and thp Comrnis~fon rx+n Pnsurr! to the opening of a new facility. the tribe hause nnrlerthe well-esta!llish~rl 

that pramin? faciljtl~s aw Iicensad and submit a notice that a facility license is canons of constnrction in RdsraE Indian 

that :heir constn~ction, maintsnanr* under considemtion to makc the law, statuto~ amhiguities must be 

nnd r)p~~ation is "condud~d in a Commission awan, ofthe impending resolved in favor of th~ tribts. 

rnnnnpr which adequately protects the opening. The n~le also requim thR The Cornmissim njirws t?~at the 

environment and public ht.alt11 and nibmission of minimal information for Indian canon of cnns!mctio~~ holds that 

saf~tv.'?7 5.S.C: 271 n[h):l)/E) drtem,ining Indian !ands. k\jiain, the statutory arnbi$itic?s am to tip: rrsolvwl 

~Iint said. there :s a S-cnnr!. sliflicient Iocat,o, of n gaming facility Indian in favor of tIw trill~s. T~P Commission 

sot~rcr: of atithorih1 witltin IGkZ for the lanrls is a Recessan. prcrcquisite to clisapcs, horvevt?r, that the canon st1t)missinn of f;ici!it?' Iic~nses to the gaming undw IG~I. The de prnlubits the Commission from ar!npting Cnmmlssion. A factlit? lice~~se is a requests some of the information the rttle. The Cornmiseron Ilsli~vps that 

nqt~irernent of IGM. 75 U.S.C. necsssaq to make an Indian lands the rule effectuates some of IGRtf's 

271fl[hl(P). and th* failurn isstw a datemination rind was a change from a stabtory r~quiremsnts: the licensing of 

lispnw is II vjolation of IGR4 a~ainst prerrious draft ofthe rille, rrhic~ gaming facilities and the constniction, wIlich tho NIGC Chairman ma! hing an imposed all affirmative obliRatlon on t!~intttnance and operation of ihns~ 

enTt>rcement adion. 25 I1.S.C. 271 3. The each tn~Pe to make an rndinn lands facilit~es so as to prot~cthe 

Cll~lrmall. th~rcfnre. has the authority to detmination before np+ning a nelv enviro~lmant and p:tbIic health and 

rqrrps? imp facility Iic~nw fm nnu far:j litv. safrty. Doing thcs~ f1ii11gc P~S~IIPS not 

facilitv as pnfi af a rntltin* invsqtlsation on, cnmmenter state. that ~GC on!!. the health of casinn ernplovws and 

25 I'.S.C. '7OGfIlJ. Rath~r than re:ltlarly dORS nnt havp authority to make patrondhut thp health nf tlit. Inrl~ar~ 

rnnkitla such a demand thronzh rile Indian lands determinations besa~xse gamine in dust^ itselfComm~ssion's enforcement staff, the 1~~4 gives that authnritp the Assuming for tlip sake of aqtrnmt 

pmpnseri rule simply ~stab11sll~s an SPcmtarv ofthe Interior, that there are ambiguities in IGW, the 

administrative prospss for the The Commission dissm. IGRA Cornmissinn heli~v~s that the n~le 

snbmisslon of facility lic~ns~s upon gives the abilit! to make lands resolves them in bvor of the triher;. The 

their issuance. determinations both he Secretan,, for commenterr, woulrI have othsr~vise. In Similarir-. as to the! s~lhmission of Ind,an mquires example, while taking land into tn~st, such a sitrlation w!me fhcm are 

and tn the Cnmmission. Again, the competing views of what is '5n favor of 

that all gamina take placf: nn "!ndian localion ofa ganjng facility on the tribcs," thr: canon will not bar the 

lands." .Sw. ~g.. 25 i:.S C. 2710h)[1), Commission's declslon. Srr, r?.g., 271 o[d)[l), Gaminx that dws nat take lands Is a neccssa?' ~~rl~~s'te to Shakop~~ Mci~~~akonton SIOUX 

pEnct. on Indian Iatid:: is sul,jea to all 

s?n:rb and ?era: gambling laws and (:flmmlssion~sluris~ictionun~w~~R~, garn'"& nndPr KRA and "' 

k:rirral Inws apart from iGR.+. The A readins of IGRR und~r which the CRt'' Cirri 1S941n 

A frxv ccmmpntem .Ptatlted that tl~erc? is 

r!lnjman tht.rrcorp has thr authariv to Cornms~ion is unable to determine its nn authority to clr?rnanrl that a trihr. 

rpmlnd ?nd:an ;nformatiorr for anv of%rn $"'isdiction Would md~rminen if perform inf~rm~tion gath~rin~ fnr the 

britilv as part nf a rnutias invs~ti~atiali "Ot m"k rammissinn wit]lnut contrad or 

rn osrirar to rstablrsh W~IP~~RT gaming is, authorit'' '' L.S.C. campcnsalron. section 27lo[!))(;) of 

in fact, nccl~rrln:: undrr !GRA. 25 ;-.S.C. 2713. IGR+ plairily rq~iin-5 that ii tht 

77Dfi[h]. Rntl~cr :ban regularly making A "umber commentme stated that C",,issi,, deqirp5 fi tribal gnvrrnmpnt 

such a demand tlirnueI~ tllp under tile decisions in Colomdo Riwr to commFssion fnnctions, 

Cammissinn's enforcf-mer.1 staff, the In&" r.. iyiGC. the the Commission slloll]d contract pay 

propnsar! rrtle simply esta!dis!les an ha'e authori? to them, 

arIrnini~tmtive process for tile claae IF1 gaming and that these The Cammission disagrees tvith this 

suhrnission of mtnimal Indian lands w~~l~~~~~~ arp an unnllthorized reading of 25 11.S.C. 971 01h)(7]. Nnthing 

rnfor~nntim I~rfnrc: tire opening ofa new nl!~maklng intended in encroach on in this smqion quires the c:ornmissrnr~ 

faci!itr. class IT1 gaming. to contract with tribes for mrnplianrp! 

r'i fr-u, commenters stated that The Commission respects and nhides ,ith ammission n?flllaliona. 

rqniring tribs to s~rbrnit sits-specific b!: the courts' decisions in the Chmdo this setion permits recornmcnds to 

facility licenses to the NIGC; for Riv~rlndi~nTr~~sv.~Vofi~nu~lndi~n t~le~ommjssionthatftmntractu~t~~~F! 

npproval p~<?tmcs the NIGC is GflmiX cnmmlssion I"mIT*') Gqses. triha for en fnrcement of Cornmiss ion 

rnandal~ri br !GRA to cnqage in sit* The Commission disapss, hower-er. mslations, 

sprclfic ind~an knds rl~!rr.ainations, that the CRIT cases stand for the broad 

hut titc Commiss~nil has 110 rnl~ in proposition that the SIGC lacks any Comrnenfs Rqarding the I.imnsing 

determining Indian Ianrls. In prer,ious altllloriQ- over class Ir[ gaming. Ratb~r, Rf'4ui"m~"ts of thp kcfli? Lirens~ 

lirigation. ~!rr C:nmmission has awpd m!T stand< for the narrower Stondr~rds 

tll:!: 11 rIor?s not tlarr! a stnn~tov r!utv to propositions that (11 an administrative Som~ cornmenters stated that th~ 

m:~ke pre-constructinn Indian lancEs aqpnc!. has only the authorie Con~s q~"i'~rnents of the pmposetl n~lc am drterminations. dr.1~gated ta it and IZI that Conpss did unnccessay hecn~rsr th~y dupIicata 

Tllp Cornrrissi~n disa-s rvith the nnt grant the Commission authority to existing Fed~ml and trihal ~ulations. 

dlaract~rizatinn of fhe proposed rule pronmlgate minimum intenla1 con^^ Tht! Co~nmission disapps. Tiw rille 

ant! wlt?~ tI?c commcntcrs' nss~rtion that atantiards for class IT1 gaming. Tile latter does not reqtiim the adoptinn of any 

fh~: Commission ~AF no mlc in is not applicable here and thn particular h~aIth and sal~t11 rules or 

dctemfning Indian lands. Commission, as stated af length above, standards anrI thus cannot conflict with 

TEif ntlc rhrs not mtahlish any hplipvps that it does have the authority standards thc. tribc has adopt~r? nn its 

rnw!~anIsm nr system \v!iereby bcili~ to promulgate Lhew faciliv license own tIlet apply under A tr~hal-state 

licens~s am ssl~brnit!~d tn thp standards. cornp.?ct. or that apply undrr f~<ieral 
Federal Register / Vol. 33, 50. 22 SFridav, Febru~ 1, 2008 /Rules and Realations 6023 - - - 

law. Even In a case where the proposed 

nile wnnPd mandate thr adoption of n 

health and safe? IAIY-because none ha[! hen adnptsd. for exxampI+no 

particular law is rnandat~d. 

As for thr s~hmission nf "Indian 

Eands" informatinn, tIw rul~ dm nnt 

rpquirt: the suhmislion of information 

aFr~ady in thr possession of t!~e Bureau 

nf Indian Abfairs anr! thus avoirls 

unnpccssary titzplicntinn. 

Some comrn~nterstated that the 

NIGC has nnt clrmnrl~tratd tflat the 

nlmnt system of limnsing facilities is 

inadrquat~. 

Thr. Commission believes that the ml~ 

fills two important q~latory needs. 

First, it alIozvs the Commission to have 

advanm notlce of the opening of gaming 

facili tirs, nnrl thus tn hav~ tli~bility to 

eu~rcist! its nversight rw~latnry 

authoritv npprupriately anti timely. 

Srcnntl, it !~plps ensure that adequate 

h~alth and saf~tv stnndarr!~ are 

nlointained ant1 complind with at all 

gam~np, faci1i:ies. 

Iln~ cornmPritPr sotrght clarification 

wl~ethm thp tri!lal gamine regulato~ 

atrthnr~ty is the entitr that is msponsihI~ 

for jrnpl~manting t!jtl nii~, which onl!. 

uses the wnrd ":ri!rt?". 

TIie ri~l~! 1cirrrjm 'he lancuaz~ tised in 

IGLZ wh~n rt plac~s ~11atory 

rpspansi!,llits 011 a "tribe " Nothing. 

~OXVRVP~, prnh~!)its a trih~ from v~sting 

a tril~al gsminq regulatory aulhorit!. t~~th 

thc rcspolrsi!~~ :it!. ta act in compliance 

with th~ proposed n13~. 

rl numuer c~f cr~mmentars 

mornm~nded that tho XIGC require 

tribal gnvPrnrnctnts tn arti if?? th~ 

implen~cntation of their pul~lic health 

nnrl wf~t!. ordinances as part of the 

nnnr~nl nl~dit prncrsa. 'T111: Cnrnrni~sion dis~gm~~. The rule 

is des~jinerl to Ire rnini~allv intrusive. It 

rgulrcq l~csnsing of FnclIitlcs no lcqs 

frrrlu~ntly than nncp rvpi-y thwe ?pars. 

hlatclng certification of enforcemen1 of 

hr,tIth anrl safvv nrdinanm part of 

mrh tri!>e'a a~~nual audit prucew rr-onld 

make thrw firn.~~ th~ t~flrL an[! is mom Iik~1y tn he incnnsistant with nlmnt 

1ic:rtisin~ practices. 

Onc cnmrnrntrr rquest~rl that facility 

limnse st~t,m!ss~on be rqt~ired not only 

fur new Facilities but also for s~thstantial 

axpnnsions af esistin~ fxciIities 

[substantial bein? defin~d as either a 2Sn$ rnurcase in the n~tlnbor of class Ill 

it1 mac!lines nar an rncrcnsc of more than 

1 50 mac hi ncs] . Tho Cnlnrzission dis~pes. This 

would hp inconsistent xrith the purpose 

~lndsrlying notification to the 

Comnissirm of IIPW fnciIiti~s. The 

nntification allmvs thr Commission to 

excrcisr its ercrsight mgtrlntnry 

respnnsiiuli? fnr the npw fnc11ity 

appmpriately and timely. There is no such need for notificatinn with existing 

facilities because the Commission has 

seylar contact with. and is generally arr-arc of the circumstances of gaming 

facilities alr~edv in o eration 

0.c cornrnenier befrercd ihat a copy 

of 2:'1~ tribe's lacility lic~nse subrnisslon 

should he sent to tlre gotwning boards 

of tiw cnrtnty and any city immediatelv 

adjacent to or surrounding the facility as WPII as to the Gorrernor of file state and 

allow those entities to provide 

comment. One commenter proposed 

that notice be provided to state 

Gavemors nf tribal submissions 

concerning the opening and closing of 

gaming facilities. 

3le Commission disagma. Indian 

gaming is an expmsion of the swereign 

ri~llt o! lndlan tribes to regulate their 

otr.lr affairs on their own land. separate 

and apart from the laws and 

mqt~irrrnents of the statw or their 

pniitic~l subdivisions. To the extent 

Conpss wished the involt~ernent of the 

statrs in Indian gaming, TGM so 

provides. and th~ Cornmissron rfoas not 

believe it 20 be appmpriate to add more. 

.As facility licensing is a matter of 

gammlng rg~lntion, noti5cation to the 

states may be provided forb? tribal-state 

compact. 

CInp cernmenter requested that the 

nile distinguish befiveen class 11 and 

class I11 in each subsect~on and that 

tribes he required to submit tribal-state 

compacts as part of their submission as 

evidence of compliance of state law as it r~lates to new facilities. 

T!lc Commission disapes. The 

reqwirements of the mlt! are applicable 

regardIess oftha class of gaming 

inr t~lred, and thns no distindiun is 

nacesqary. Further. if a frihal-state 

compact provides for the application of 

particular hcaltii and safe? larvs, then 

idcntiRcation nf the compact and it< 

rc uirrrnpnts is sufficj~n~. 

Xneconmenter sstat~d th~t it is 

uncbar wf~e!ller statr or local 

govpmments or ather entities muld 

chal!mgc tribes' facility lic~nse nntice 

and. th~rs. Indian lands deternlinations. 

The Cornm~ssion cloes not intn~d to 

permit such a challenge, 

One conrncnter bel:er,ed that the 

license submission sllould also state 

whether tlie land is mst land eligible 

for Indian gaming under IG&\ and the 

bnsis for that ass~rtion. 

The Commission disagrees. The 

submission of Indian Iands infomation 

is required only for nerr facilities. If a tribp is openin:: a facility on Iand newly 

takca into trust. than the Department of 

thr Interior \\.ill have made an Indian 

lands determination as part of the tntd 

acqulsrtlon process. Requiring tlre 

-- - - 

information sumested here would be 

duplicative. 

Comments Regrrrding the Entimnmcnt. 

Ptlblic H~olth nnd Sofetv 

Several cnmrnenters SII~~A~P~ that 

adapting the. Facility License Standards 

would conflict with the 1ntt.rpmtative 

Rule prwiuusIy issuer1 h!. the NIGI: that 

lavs nut a "lirnitsci and d~scret~ 

responsibility" for thp Cornrnis~ion in 

regulating the enrirnnmcnt anti puhlic 

hpaitli and safety. 

The Cnmrnission apws with the 

comrnenters tha? the Entrimnment. 

PttRlic Health and Safcty Interpretative 

Rule (67 FR 46109) envisions n limited 

and discrete msponsibilitv. The 

Interpretative RUIP also hqhli~hted, 

however. that thi3 dirl not ipavp the 

Cornmissinn withotrt authority or responsibiIity in this area as "'IGRA 

explicitIy accords the Commissiun a 

role in ensuring complfancp with rhs 

en~imnm~~lt, public hoaIth and snfrty 

provision of JC;.;Rh." The Facili tv 

Licansp Standards do not incrpam th~ 

L7GC.s limited snln. Thpp do not 

demand adoptio~~ of anv particular 

haakh and safcty rides: rather, th~ rule 

primarily wquirm tribes to mak~ the 

h7GG aware of wl~af hpalfh and saf~tu 

nll~s applv. This somplim~nts h'lCC's 

oversight ml~ under fi: FK 4r;lon. 

Several commenters nrjtec! that the 

rpqttirements of the Facility LI~RSF! 

Staridards am alrmdy ndr!r~aserl in 

somn tribnl-stato compacts and that 

those t~jb~s sllol~ld I>t: exempted from 

the reporting rquimmnnts in this rule. 

For thnse tribes whose Xribnl-stat* 

compacts identifv those laws. 

resolutions. cndta, pollc~cs or standards. 

othpr than fedrral lilxt*~ thnt are mq!rimrI 

in the KICX's Facility License 

Stendarcis. they can submit tn the NICK 

the loc~tinn \\,here that infomatinn can 

b~ fo~inrl ill their ttihal-state mrnpact. It 

should be noted, ~OWFNP~, that triflalstate cornpacts arc only required for 

class I11 gaming and the Facility Licanse 

Standartl~ appil; to kt11 class II and 

claw I11 gaming facilities. 

Sevem. c:omrnmts r~lated to the 

ability nf tlip NIGC tn cam. out its d~rties 

under the Facility License Standartls 

wf thout creatiny: a nPrv l~ur~aumacy - within the Commission. 

1'1~ Gomrntssion dimpes. The NTGC 

already has existing p~rsonneI whn 

conduct site risits to tribal gnminy! 

facilities under the Intcrpwtntice Rule 

and who handle entrironm~n!al issu~a. 

Ex~sting personnel will co~~tinrte to 

work on these and ot!rer environmental 

issuw thnt arise. 

Seven1 comments related to the 

NIGC's statement that it had conrluctcd 

many site visits and inspw?ions slncs 
6024 Federal Register / 1'01. 73, No. 22 /Friday. Febnrav 1, 2008 

issuance of the Interpretatit-e Rule 

which led tn the XIGC tdentifyiry the 

deficiencies addressed by this ml~. 

Cnmrn~nters requested t!iat the NIGC 

d~tnil thp mlts of tI~osa inspertions to 

justify rile necessity nf the Facility 

License Standards. 

Tlw IZflGC: has :clsntified the follo~rin~ 

henl:!~ ant1 safr-ty issues during sitc! 

visit<: lack rbf f r~! s~rppr~sqion systems: 

Iack of fire or ambulancs senrir~: 

insanitayf food storaqt? and liandfing: 

anti. storaqr! of hazart!ous mat~rials ~n locations ~x.ith nnncompatiblc 

chernicnls. !n its Facility 1-icmst? 

Stalttlarc?~, the Cornrniwion sppks to 

cny mtt its obligations undrr IGRA to 

ensurp that garni~lg is occurring in a manner that arlrquatelv prntprts the 

rnvironment and thp p111111c hna!th and 

safrtv. 

~cLeral cornmenters wpre unclear as 

to rr-hnt the NTGG's rern~dy tvoulrl he for 

non-compliance with the Facility 

Licenap S:anriards. 

T~P Chairman 31as the power to order 

tenlpociry cclosur*? of a gaming facility 

for q~rbstantial violation of the 

provisiuns of 25 L.S.C. 2713. 

Onn commenter requested that the 

Facilitv Lic~nse Stanr!ards be expanded 

to p:nvid~ to: lnrlapendent audits by 

qualifiec?, cartifierl environmcntnll 

m~in~~rinq firms. according to a 

wI!~dul~ ~stahlished 1)y t h~ tribe and 

acrt*rl upon by tile Comm:ssinn. with 

1rlc:ni gnrernrnsntnl sntit~es allotv~ri to 

mvirw+thc sestllts of tire a~tdrt. 

T!IP Comm~s~ion det~rrn~n~d that 

adding this rrquirement to ths Facjlity 

License Stnnri:lrds u-ntrld he 

Ilnnrrmsan a% t5~ NIGC's site visits 

and thr metprial ~trsd~d to be 

suirn:~!t~rl wi!h the I:acilit!. License 

S:andard rr.nrild he s~~ffirlcnt for the 

SIC;[; !o determine cr>n~p?iancr 1~1th 

IC!L\. 

Commcnts Rqcording the hnds 

lnfnrmoiinn r:'rquimd Lynch the Fociliv 

Uccnst. S:nnr!orris 

S~vt-!nl comments stated that the 

information required for a nPw gaming 

f~cility is onernus, dup!icativ~ and 

nv~rly-burrlensoms. 

T!lc Commission disap~s. In this 

final n~lr, t!ip U!GC ha? significantl!' 

n-rlucptl tht. !ancis infnrrr.;.tinn trilws are 

wrlu~recl to submit with a n~tr- facilie 

lict:rrs~ In the initial rvnrking drafts uf 

tll~? proposer1 rule, tli~ KJGC required 

Z~A Innrls inromatian on both new and 

 xis sting grn~n~ facilities. Jn this final 

ruis, the NIGC :s only requirinq 

qualiking ;and informat ion !"or a facility 

Iiwnsr on nrrr facilities, In addition. 

thr fmal mie only reqiltms thr! facility 

narcs, 1cgnI dcqcriptinn. and 151.3 tract 

nurntlnr !or a new fzcilik. I'rior drafts 

tequired a great d~al more: A legal 

analvsis. copies of trust documents, 

copies of court decisions, executirre 

ordem, secretarial proclamations or othcr documentation lrrgding land 

orvnership. The information rrquired in 

the final rule represents the basic 

information necessa? so that the NIGC can then determine rvhpthpr additionrl 

lands documentation is required. One cornrnentr?r expressed concern 

WL the NIGC will respond directly to 

inquiries from other gomrnoii~al 

offices and Congress while pr1b1ic and 

state gowmments will h~ s~ihj~ct to the 

Frwclom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 

552. 

'Ihe Commission complies with the 

Fredorn of lnformatinn Act ("FOTA"], 

therefore, any requests for information 

submitted as part of the Facility License 

Standards rq~rimmtnts will he subject 

to POTA and the Prfracy Act of 1974,s 

U.S.C:. S52a. It'ith thr! ~xc~ptinn of law 

enforcement agencies and requests from 

Cnn*p?ssional cnmrnittws, which are 

oxenipt fmm FOIA, the NIGC: trPats all 

requ~sts for information obtained as 

n~hjecto FOIA. This includes requests 

from Conpssional offic~s. statP and 

federal affrces, and the general public. 

Comments R~gardin-y the Infamution 

Col!&ion Burden 

One cornmenter suggested that the 

mtirnatas pror-idsd by th~ NGC 

rpgarding the anotrnt required for 

inionnation collection are far too low in 

tlw event a tribe does nat have laws 

already in place in one or more of the arcas identified as required by the 

Facility Lic~nsa Standards. 

Thp Commi~sion"~ estimate nf 

approximate!!. 55,000 to $10,000 is for 

t!~ose tribes who do not clmntly have 

laws in one af the ms en~rrnerated in 

5 559.5 of the rule. The Commission 

feels this estimate is seasonable for a 

trcbe who must hire an inattomy to assist 

in identification of those laws, codes. or 

standards tila! apply to its gaming 

facility. The Commission recognizes 

that there may be underlying expenses 

wlated to instituting an env~mnmental. 

publrc health and safety propm in the 

event a tribe identifies a deficiency in a 

certain area wlhile complvin:: with the 

Facility I.imns~! standards: however, the 

costs associated %ryith these efinrts 

would r-ary patly depending on thp 

sizc and location of thp gaming facility 

and on the 1e1~91 of en\*ironnerltal, 

puhlic health and safety standards 

alwady in place. 

One comrnenter suggested that the 

enrironmont, public health and safe@ 

requirements in the F;tc~Iity Licenst! 

Stantlards be tied to applicable ferloral 

laws [i.e., Ciean tl'ater .Act. Safe 

Drinking Water Act, Resource 

Cons~rvation and Recovery Act, dc.). 

The Commission disagmes, The 

purpose of the mila is tn identify 

envtronment, ptiblic hcalth anti safetv 

laws that applv thnt are not Federal 

laws. 

Comment Rqarding Poprtvork 

R~durfien Act 

The commpntar quested that 

"burden" ha struck thrn~~gh this sec?ion 

and replaced wit11 "resorrrces ~sqtrired 

for" and that "'annual infmation 

111udrm" b placed with "msn~~ma 

r~qtlimd to collect the infnrmation 

annuallv." 

This language, however, is 'had on 

the languaqe in the Paperwork 

Reduction Act anrE is nnt the UlGCs 

langt~agp. 

Comments R~garding thp Rqyulatn~ 

Fhibility Act 

The Commission NO~VP~ a cnmrnent 

that contrary to th~ statsrnmt in thr! 

proposed ndtz that It~dian tribes arc not 

considewd to be small entities for 

pirpnses of the Reg11ata1-y Flexibility 

Act, it may be thnt tribes xlf~ smaIl 

entities for this purpose. The 

Commission disagrm. Indian tribes am 

not incl~tdcd i11 this clefinit inn. 5 U.S.C. 

601 /S)[cl. 

Comments R~gnrrfing MGC 

Cnnsulfniion In Conncctinn ZZ'ith This 

Rule 

SC?VC?MI cnrnmcnfs pertnin~d to the 

lm-~l of cnnsilltation c:nntiuctd in 

connection rvith thp Facility 1,icense 

stand art!^ stating that the KICX (lid not 

ccnrIucf rneanin2f:il consultation anti 

that tIip cons~~ltntion cnn~il~ctrd was in 

vialatinn nf the NIGC's consultation 

pnlicr.. 

'r!lk NKC ~~~blishd its Governmentto-Covernmr?;lt Tribal Consultation 

Policv an March 24,2004,66 FK 16973. 

In that policy tlie Commission 

wcogniz~d the govwnmcnt-togoveniment relationsIiip that exists 

hetween the N1I;C anr! f~dcmllyr~cognixetl tribrr anrl statcc! tirat the 

primary fucns on tllc NII:C's 

consultation policies would involve 

consulting with individual vibes and 

their recognized gor,~rnmental Iea!arl~rs. 

The Cornt::is~inn'?; consultatirln policy 

also wlts for providir~g early 

notificaliotl to eff~ctari tri!lcs of any 

mgulatoy pnlicics prior tn a final 

agency cIr!c~sicln r~gnrdin~ their 

frlrmula:ton or imp1~m~ntation. 

In keeping with tts cr~nsultation 

polinl, t!~ NIGC sent if5 firs! ~vorking 

draft oft i~e Facilitv Licpnse Standards tn 

tribal loaders on Way 12, Z0t)ti. That 

notice was also p~?hllshed on the NIGC 
Federal Rqister /Val. - 

IVah sit P, ht!p://~~\~~~.ni,qc.~o~~+ for 

public coms~ant. The I:rlmmrssion alsn 

invitetl tribes to mpe? rvith it in 

cons~rltntion on this rule and other 

gaming mattem. Fnllorrving rlotiffcation 

o? this firs: rvnrklng dmft. :hp N!GC 

rrcc~vcd 5R written comrnpnts and held OVPT 53 government-t~-gov~mmcnt 

constilt;!tinn mcrtinqs with tribal 

I~all~rg 

!;allowing written and oraI comments 

frnm tribal ieaders, the draft Facilitv 

Lrrenst? Stant!ardn wem rarisprd and sent 

to tribal lcadcrs fnr comment on March 

21, 2007. ~c-i:!~ comments due nn May 

15.2Dni. Thr comment p~riod was 

suhsr?qu~ntP!. sxtsnrlcd anotl~w 15 days 

ta \lay 30. ?R07 Ayain the Commission 

inrit~d trihal lmrlcrq to provide 

rnmrnents and to meet with the 

Comrniasron durinq tribal consrrltations. 

Tllc! I:ornmission rr*cefred f 8 writt~n 

comments and held over 60 separate 

consu?tation meetings to discuss !INS 

draf: of t11e Faciiiv Licsnsc Standards 

and ot!i~: gaming matters. 

Thp F~ICI ;it!' L:CP~SI> Standards wore a~nin reris~rl bas~cl on r~lput from tribal 

Zr?atlers anrl the puthic. T!w Commission 

pu l~~isbwl t 11t- prnpns~rl Facility Liceme 

Sta11rl;tsrls or1 (lrtniwr 78. 2007. nftpr 

bolt L~II~, morp tha11 113 m~~:ings with 

trii~al lrlarlem anr! carpfill cons~rlsmtion 

of !!lc I:%+! conlrntents rrceiv~d nn the 

twn nor draft< 

~n$op~in~ &h its consolhtion 

poiin, the NTGC invol~ad trik early in 

thp procrss elf cnnsidrrring the Facility 

LEwns~ Standards and tr!'nes liad the 

opportunity tn provici~ rr-ritten 

rn:nrnr~'rts and tn mwt wth the 

Con~mi~sion over ;: lrnflhr period. The 

Cnrnrl~taqion carefiill!. racimc~d the: 

commm!s recr~r.ccf on the pmpnsed 

mlr ant! took those comments into 

con.sid~mtion prior tn making a final 

cltlterminntion on thr final Facil~ry 

Licrmsr St:!nrlarrls. 

Several rnrr.rnmters stated that th~ 

N1GC;'s consu!ta!ron process for thts 

rvgt~lation irhll short of prinr aqtntn7 

cnnsu?tatinns where tnnal 

rrprrrantatlvas wcrr! actire pattiripants 

nnt nnIy in provir!ina advice and i~iput 

to th~! NIGC. hut also in the draftinc 

procrsy its~lf. 

IYl>i!tr thr WGC: has chosen !a utilize 

rarinr~s nl!~rnaking formats when 

hmulatinq SF!T~AT~E Commission 

re,qilnfinns, inclilrling tribal adpisoy 

carnrnittees. the XTGC cnnsultation 

polir:v pmuidcs that !he XIGC rcill 

utillzt: that form of rulemaking to the 

extent it deems prncticahIr and 

appropriate. It is within the 

Commission's ciiscrc!~on to daermine 

the s?pmpsiatr: fnrm of rulemaking for 

eacli rr~ulatinn. Thr Cornmiss~nn 

tletann~ner! that for pttrpo~~s of PUC~ a 

73. No. 22/Friday, February 1, 2008 /Rules and Replatinns 6025 

narmrs- and limited rule such as the of the rq~fation is to inform the NIGC 

Facility Lic~nse Standards, sharing early prior to the opening of a npw Facilitr. 

drafts and aIlorvinq for n len~thy period The NIGC: befi~ves any financirl~ 

of comment and consultatiorl wo~ild be difficulties posed hr campiianct: with 

the most comprehensive approach. 

Many cnmrnenters quested that the 

NJGC; extend the cnmmpnt psrind in 

which to provide comments on tl~e 

pro nsd ride. AF: NIGC received a total of 83 tribal 

comments on the proposed Facility 

License Standards. This was in addition 

fo the 134 written comments received 

and considered on the prior working 

drafts of the nrle and after rnmzting with over 113 trihal leaders in conmnlltation 

on the pmposad rule along with other 

Commission matters. 

The Comrnisrion allowed for a 454ay 

mmrnent period on ftio proposed rille. 

In deciding not to grant an extension of 

the cDrnrnPnt period, the Commisslen 

took into account the significant number 

of comments meired nn the proposed 

rule and on tho two prior drafts. totaling 

over 215 written comments cornhin~d. 

In addition the consultation period for 

this nllr was well over onc anrl one-!mlf 

years, from the first draft in h4ay ZOOfi 

to the publication of the proposed nile 

in October 2007. 

Comments Rqarding .VGC Complinnce 

the Gov~rnrn~ni P~rjomonee and 

R~sults Aci 

Several commcnters sumested that 

the KIGC may have violated the 

Government Performance and RmiIts 

Act ("GPRA") emharking on severs! 

rulemaking exercises without an overal! 

plan in violrrtion of Public Law 1109- 

211. 

The Commission agrws that Public 

bur ~WI-221, the Native American 

Technic31 Cormctio~~s Ad of 200fi. 

pmridss that thp NTGC shall be subject 

to t!le GI'R4. On Sopternher 30,2007. 

the SIGC Filed its p~rformancc and 

accountahilit!. repurt with the Office of 

Mvlanaq~rn~nt and Budg~t. The 

Cornn:~ssion is currpnt!? se~kin~ 

commrnts from tribes and all interested 

par?ies an the contents of this report. 

Comments Regarding Financing of !L1~'pw 

Trihl gum in^ Facilities 

Sm*eral commentm wm concerned 

that the Facility License Standards 

rrould have an impact on a trthe's 

abiliiy to sectm financing for gaming 

development mjrrns 

Tllr NIGC Jsavdo; that requiring 

trih~s to notie the Commission Iza 

days prior to opening a new faciIity rvill 

interfern with finanfrng opportunities 

for nerr gaming operat:ons. The purpose 

this rule t~iil \)P le~k sign<fica:arli Ihan ii 

it is latcr d~termined that a nets larllity 

has !wen con~truc:eri on lands that [lo 

not mert the r~quimmrnts for "Inrlian 

lands" under JCRr\. Fr~rth~r, theFncilit~' 

License Standards Iiart! nn ERPH ill 

those circllmstanc~s wh~re a tribe h~s 

not yet obtaint!rl financing du~ to 

uncertainty rqartlinq thc status of the 

lands. 

Comments R~gantJing Specific hnguoq~ 

One commenter sumwted the 

addition of tht: word ' standards" 

wherever the phrase "laws. r~solutinns. 

codes, policies, or procetlums" appears 

in the rngulation. The Cumnlission 

agrees end has revisrd 55 5U2.22 and 

55'3.5Ib3 accordin~lv. 

Ont! conlmentcr suggested that 

standards pertairling tu tllc environmpnt 

and the public hralth and safety may I)r 

i~lcluded in Secretarial pmcedum. 

Accorclingly. the Comrnissir~n revised 

5 502.22 tcl reflect this chan-g~ from 

"incInr!inji standards neauti;ltsrl undvr n 

~ril~al-stntr, compact' lo ' inclttcfinfi 

stan~tards 11nrit.r a tribal-stab cr)m;lest 

or S~cr~tnrial prmdurm."' 

On? cornnlsr>ter nntpd the use of th~ 

phrase? "gaming np~rations" in 

5 559.5@) and comctl!: pnintad nut that 

the term sho~tld be "gamins facilities" 

as is used :hm~ixhont thp rrma~nrfcr of 

thc rmilation. This correctinn was 

made.'' 

O~F! mmmenter noted the use of the 

phrase "gaming facilities, places or locations" a* contrtidisting the statutory 

lanpngr of IGfW trllich nsps the phrasp 

"fia~~~inq places, fncil ities nr Iwatinns." 

This crrmction %vas made in 

g 3sn.s(hl(r,l. 

Clnt? co~rnnenter recommended that 

tl~~ Corn~nission remove the phnse "as 

needed" follo~tping in fj$S52.2[tl and 

5511.7. The cornrnentm 41t this phrase 

was mdunrlallt as tllp statamcn: prinr 

reflects that the Chairman mar 11s~ Iiiq 

or her disr:mtian to rrquest la~~rls or 

envirn~~mrntal anrl pulllic hpnl t h and 

safcty infornlatinn. 'The Commission 

aerees and made this correction in the 

final rule. 

One commentsr notcd that the titIr to 

5 559.6 was inconsistent with the 

ianpage in the bo2y of the section and 

recomnendcd the Commission add "or 

mopct~s" m the title to match tht! 

mq~iirernents <st ot~t in th~ sectinn. The 

Co~nrnissien %gees and this chnn~e was 

made. 

Ui1e cornmanta f~It the propn~ed 

rulrs wcm unclear regarding the 

sut~miss~on requirements Zo tf~t? 
6026 Federal Register /Vol. -- - - - 

Commission. The Commission agreed 

that clarification could hr! arldad tn 

ensure that :ribs< more clear!? 

undersfnod the raqulraments for initial 

and s~~h~equ~nt submissions of their 

faciIity lic~nses. The Follorzing changes 

rv~m made i11 55559.3.559.4, and 559.5 

tn mfl~ct clarificat~on of the sltbmission 

requlrPmt?nts. Sectiun 559.3 in !ht? 

propuserl NIP wad "[n]t !east once ever? 

thrrt! !.rars, a trrlw shalI issue a separate 

facilitr Iicense !cr * *." 1x1 the final 

rule, thi~ smiIon wax changed to "[njt 

least onw eplrey tthrre vears after the 

initial issuanc. nf n facility license, a t~ih~! shall rrncw or reissue a scpnrate 

fncility license." Mion 569.4 

pr~viously read "i2'hen must a trih~ 

submil B copy of a facility iiccnse to the 

I:halrmnn?'' :I tri!~ nilst s~rhmit tn the 

C!lairmiln a copy of eac!l: issued facilitr 

Iicnnse within 30 rlay~ of irsrrancc. This 

s~dion isnow clari5ad to rcad. "ll?l~n 

rnr~st a trih sr~bmit a copy of a newly 

iss11~11 or r~n~m'erl Iic~nw fn the 

Chairman? A trik must suhmit to the 

C:Iiaiman a cop!. of each net\-lv issad or renervcrl facilik liccns~ ivithin 30 

clays of issuance." Seainn 550.5 also 

ckang~d to slorify the sul>m!ssion 

requirem~nt. This section prr\iol~sIy 

mat1 "li'hat must a !ril~~ st~'!~nit ro the 

Cltnirmnn \vivil!1 the copy vf cach facrl~? 

Iis~nsr timt has hem issu~d?" It ~lorv 

reads. -'l17hnt mtrst a trihc! silbmxt :o the 

Charman with the copy of ~ach facilie 

liccnw that has twen issu~d or 

~R~~AIVP~?" 

Gornrneni.~ Rqom'ing Port ,502- 

D~finitinns nfThis (:hnpt~r 

few comrnentprs ol~j~cted tn the 

insertinn nf thr d~finitinn of 

"constmctio~~ and maintenance of the 

gaming facility. anti the operation of 

tl~nt snrnin:: is conrl~~ctcc! ir. a manner 

whic!: a11~cjuat~Iy pmtr~ts the 

envlrnlntt1! nnr? the puhlic health and 

snfnt!." a!: "r:lnrificafion" for 

271 O[h)(2)[E] at !GIW withnut any 

~xpliinntion or folinrlation for tlw 

NICC's cotlcl~!sinn that this "dt:finitionm 

prnvidm rlarificntion. 

The Commission belie~as that this 

d~finition ant! the entire IF! clarifit?~ 

fb'?lat the expectations are for wibw to 

verify that that they arP: maintaining 

their jiaminq facilities in a rnannpr that 

adrquntcly protrcta thp sn~iron~nent. 

puidic: i~ralt!l and safety. 

Ano!hr!r cornmanter nhjectsd tn 

5 902.Z;{f!, "other ~~rirnnrnental ar 

p~~hlic il~alth an(? safety stanrlards 

ncloptmd bv the tribe in Iigilt of climate. 

geo,yaph~, and nthm Iocnl cnnditinns 

ancl anpljcahle to its gaming facilities. 

p!acrs ar locafions.*' as l)ri?lc ton brnad 

:r stmrdard. 

73. 

- 

No. 221 

- 

Friday, - Fehq 1, 20081Rules and Regulations -- - - - - 

The Commission retained subsection One commenter suamtd 5 502.22 

(0. The geographical and Jocal should b revised to arid: '*(f)l If an 

conditions under which Indian gaming Envimnrnental Impact Statement was 

ma!: occur vav greatly. This provision preparod for the gaming facility. thm was included to capture the varyin: the laws, rwolutinns, cndcs. policies or circumstances under which Indian prucedur~ in This area sllnll cowr at FI 

gaming facilities map occur ant! allow minimum, the constn~ctiun, operational 

for a tribe to addrpss specific incal and and rna~ntenance standarrls idr?ntifiecI in 

~aogmphic conditions that may apply to the EIS as \t.cll as mitigntion meaqtrms 

its gaming facility. that address the m~~Erunrn~ntal 

OIIP commenter statad that the phrase cnnquancps of the faciIitv." 

"the construction and maintenance of The Cammission disapes that this 

the gaming operation and :he aperation change uvotrld ha useful. 

af the gamin:: is condudtcd in a manner Onr commenter sugysted that fh~ 

which ndcquatelr pmtects the Commission revise 6 ~n?.zz hy changing 

environmpnt, public health and .=rev," "cnnstruction ant1 rnaintmmce of thr 

defies undpmtanding. garnlng facility. and tlr~ nprration nT 

IVl~ile the Commission av!: that this that gnminp," to "constn~tt~nn and 

langlage is no? a of =larit?l, this marntpnallca of the gamins racility, nnrl 

lan:;uay is taken dirrctlp from IGm at tht? olwrdtion of class f or rlass 111 

25 C S C. 2710b)(Z)(E). gaming." 

One comrnenter suwed Thp Cornmissinn disagrees. This 

consideration shonld be ziven to lanpag~ was faken rlir~t:tly fmm IGRA 

deleting th~ defined tern proposed to be at 2710!h)(21[E)- 

added as new 9 51)?1.22. The drfined One commenter rqusts the addition 

term is only used in the proposed of new 5 5(37.73 to ,ad as it)llows: 

mg~lations twice. at $5 55S.1(a] and "Facility license means a separate 

j5n[a!f~l, ~~~h thosp work license essued hy a trihs tn ~ach place. 

ifhe sentence is in its plain facility, or location on Indian lands 

meaning sense, rather than in its WT~I~PP th~ tribe elects tn allow class I1 

defin~d meaning sPnsP. Also, it is or cIass IT[ gaming." 

unconventinnal fur the d~f nitirm h'n chan~.,r? is nrcessar~. IIOW~VF?~, a< 

section to include s~~hsta~~tir~e this pmposer! larlguagr? is irlentical lo 

prnvisfons, such as the sentencp in the that of "'lp. 

proposed definition which states that Comments Regording pad 522- 

the"latvs* 'shall' * *."Finally, Suhmissjono{~MmjnfiOrr]jnnn~or inclt~riing subtantiye provisions in the ResoEution 

definitional section could lead to 

mi~understandinqs readers who mad One mmmenter srr~estd languag~ 

pan 55:) and miss the fact that the thirty that clarifies that the ~nfnrmstiolr 

required in 5 522.2 is in arlditiou to the word sentence starting with the words 

uConsuuction and . a *w wquircments of55 559.2 and 55!>.5. 

The Cnrnmission disngrprs ns the is ac!trally a defined twm. Therefore. wltimnlent is aln?ad!. consic1eration should he given to repsated in 5 556.5. simp11 king the regdations by deleting A , t,r uRge :ested that the defincri term and moving the consideration shollEri be civen to adding substantire content contained in the the pt,rasc eligjl,i,ih.- or proposed defined term to a location in ong,,inF: eliglbi,i!y [for lallds scquid 5 539.5. after Octobcr 17, 111H8]" to jj 522.2 this 1ifI?jle this recommendation has its anrl to 559,7, merits, the Commission ultimately The C:ommission disagrees that this d~cided to mtain thc definition. recornmendatinr~ would clarify tho n~le. 

Thc same mlnmanter su~ysted that if A ,o,,p,,ter suxested tt~nt 

the defined term is retainer!, consicl~rntinn shrn~itI bo giv~i~ tn 

consid~ration should he gitUen fo deletinz the phrase "as nrpded" in this 

modifying the text hy including a scction tn avoid disputes as tn whether 

refm~nc~ to Secr~tarisE procadnres and tile documentation pquWletl bv the 

standards. Chairman is "'nmded."' 

The C~lmrnission agrees to this The Commission agees to this 

recommendation. change. 

One commenter suggested that 

language be addpd tt~llicll =fefmc-d the GITtrnpnts Rp~adin~ Sli.9--Fnd'i''' 

sar!or,s fPdma! enrironmental 1Rr3,s that ~~CPRSP -~~fiJir.rlff~~.~- Rene~wls, rind 

tribes are required to fol lnw. Su hmission.. 

The Commission d~sa*qees. The R commenter urged the Comnlissinn 

purpose of the rule is tn dentif? to mvispl th~! dmft rule to distin~uish 

anuironrncnt, public health and safety between class I1 and class 111 ~arning in 

laws that apply that are nnt fpderal laws. each stihsection. 
Federal RegisterlVol. 73, No. 221Friday. February 1. 20081Rules and Regyl~ltians 6027 

The Cammissinn has not made this 

mvision. The mquirements for 

submission of fgcility license remain the same rvhclher gaming is occurring in a 

class 11 nr class 111 pning facilitv. 

Onp mmEnntrr ru~rstpd :hat since 

prt 559 is pr~surnah;! ~nt~nd~d to 

apply to a "saning uperatiu11" as that 

tr:rln is drfinrd !rl 5 5112.10, 

c:nn~ideratior> cot~ld lw given to 

d~anging th~! phrase "tht! operation of 

cla~~ I1 nr c!ass ITI gaming" to "class I1 

or class TIT g~mins np~rit!ion." 

T:~P Comn1:ssion use< the reference to 

 amin in^ p!nccs, facilities or locations" 

to rprnnin rnnqistanf with IGM. 

Anwth~r comrnpnter r~conmended 

that nart 559 shoultf be clarified to 

determine wheth~r the Commission 

inienrls to replate (i) a tribe; (ii) place. 

fac;llty or 1nr:ction: or [iii! both. 

Zjr~ changp was made as a rt.sult of 

thiq mmrn~nt. TIP Cnrnrnissir~n l~lieves 

it is char from the !an~uacc? of IGM 

that "a sep~att! licensr: issuer! by the 

Inrlian triile s!lalI be required For each 

pl~trr, I~lilt~, or location." 

Com~rlmts Re.qmrding $: 599. 1-llr!ra! is 

tire* .FCO~P onc' prrrpnsr of this port? 

One commpnter suggested that the 

pI1rnse "th~ constnldinn and 

rnaintennnct? nf the gamins facilihl" be 

changt=:Pd to "the jinrni~lg facility is 

colrs:r~~cted and ~nal~ltainerl." 

The Cunlnission ~PCIILI~C~ tn make 

this change as the lanpay is taken 

fmm 1C;KrL at 2710(h][13:!-:-:). 

Onp cnmmentpr nhs~rcrd that 5 559.3 

Sails to require t!lat the land must h 

under thr !urisrliction of the tribe. 

F~iril~mmnre, tlw rynlations do not 

detail tlw ~liqitlility sequiwments for 

gaming on inr!wn lnn(ls, and make clear 

that thr? ?and :xst be under the 

jw-rsd~ction nf !he tribe, 

Thr ~II~~OSF: of par: 559 is to ensum 

that each faci!ity wllew garnina ig 

opcntcc! is lacat~d on Indian lands 

ell:ih!c hr gaming pursuant tn IGM. 

II;Kr'l ants out :he cligi'nilit!. 

wqlr imrnents and j11r;srlldinnal 

rrr!uiwmPnts Fnr gatrinr, tn occur on Jnrtian lands. Consrqurntlv. na 

ad(!: tional lanpiag~ iq conremplat~d. 

One cornmpntpr ob~n.& that the 

rrq~~lntion fails to rpquirr that the NGC 

ar t11:illy makc a dt?tcminat?on [~n 

Indian lanrlsj and Fails !n provide a 

process For such d~tnrrninatinn. 

Furt!lermore, the regulatiofis as 

ptnpnsec! apply only ta new facilities 

whrn !he same ndcs need to be applied 

to xis sting !'rlciliti~s. 

Tile Commission did not intend. 

unrh tl~ese mlpq, tn d~nlePnp a broad 

prncram for making Indian !ands 

r!ccl<lons. The (:nmmissron makes such 

dccislnns in the context of its 

enforc~rnent aclions and appmval of 

manapmen€ contracts and site-specific 

ordinances. 

01re commenter recommmded that 

the notice requirement include 

dmumcntation that the trih seeking a new- ff;rciliF license cnmpli~s with tile 

class I11 conditions necps9-* to engage 

in casino-style gambIing. The 

commentw wcon~rnended that the trike 

submit n valid statetribal mmpact as evrdence of compliance. 

Ku change ws made as a mlt of 

this comment. The Commission hss 

endeavor4 to take into consideration 

tllat varintis documentation may he 

ar~ailable at other federal agencies [i.e., 

Denartment of the Interior' and has 

mmnved any duplicative submission 

requirements for documents that are 

~railabl~ through other means. Several commenters yuested that 

adrlltional language be aarlded requiring 

no!jfication to surrnunding local and 

statc governmental antitias when tribes 

subm~: notice to the Cho~rman that a 

facility lic~nse is nnder consideration 

for a new BciIity. 

Thp Cornrnl~sion diagmes. Indian 

gamlng is an expression of the sovereign 

right of Indian tribes to re,mlatc their 

own affairs on them own land, separate 

and apart from the laws and 

mqtiirrrrnents of the states or their 

po!ittcaI subdivisinns. To the extent 

Cnngmss wrisl~ed the invofvemtnt of the 

states in Indian gaming, IGRA so provides, and the Cnmmission does not 

believe it to be appropriate to add mom. As facility licmsing is a matter of 

gaming regulation, notification to the 

states Iney be provided for tribal-state 

compacts. 

O!ic commenter suggested that that 

the proposed "chwifnhls m-ents" 

exaption creates a lonpholr! that 

swallnws the notice reqi~irement. 

Abspnt a wasonable numeric cap, a tribe 

could sponsor a string of charitable 

awnts Lasting six days or lcss on a continuous basis without glring noticse 

to thp STGC or, if class I!I gaming is 

involvar!, the state that FI tnht issu~d .a 

nprv faciliti~s license. 

The CanlmisSjon rlisavs. The 

langmge of 5 559.2fh) makes clear that 

this exception relates to the "occasional 

charitable event" and nat to continuous 

gamins nt class Ill gaming. 

Comm~nt Re-wrding gF 55g.d-lf'h~n 

must o trihp submit a copv of a facilify 

Iicense to th~ Choiman? 

One comment- requested additional 

lawpage that requires notification ta 

surrorlnding local aid statc 

gnvmnmental entities. 

'She Corn~nisslon disagrees. Indian 

gamlng is an expression of the sorereign 

right a1 Indian tribes to regulate th~ir own affairs 011 their own IantI, separate 

and apart frum the? laws snci 

W~U~~PTTIR~~ of thp stst~s or their 

political suhdivis~ons. To the Pxtent 

Cnngr~ss wished the involl-pment of the 

stalt!s in Indian gaming, JGKn qo 

pmvid~s. anrl the Conrmissirln tlues not 

beii~vc 11 to be appropriate to add mnm. 

As facility lic~nsing iq a mettpr nf 

gaming m~rrlation, notification to the 

state< ma!. h~ providctl for I)! triFml-state 

compact. 

Comments Regadin-q $.55B.fi--lWhaf 

must a tribe submls to iht: Chairman 

rrith the ropy oi ~och fmci1it.v IECP~SP 

that has been issued? 

One commenter mornmended that 

the NIGC rqlzim suhrnission of 

applicable state or ferI~ralicenses nr 

permits that dcrnonstsntr that n ttiht is 

it) compliance with federal or state 

environmental Iaws ~pplir~b!~: tn its 

gaming operation. 

The Cn~rnission disapa. The NIGC 

has rlaterrnined that for purposes of this 

nile. Tribes will supply il ]is: of 

irlantificrl applicaTllr: law4 and that it 

st~aEl L?F! witi~ln th~ Chairman's 

c!ismtion to request ;irfclitic~n~1 

information if nrcsssan-. Thwp stat? 

and fedeta1 licenses could IF ~ti~st~tl 

Sp the Chairman i! a nwrl for such 

documentation is rl~med nmxss;lry. 

One cntnmenter sumested d~l~!ung 

the term "id~ntified" in 5 Eilifl.S(a)(l) 

and replacin11 with "ac!nptsd, iswed or 

agreed to" as an? latv nr standard which 

the tribe has "identified'" hut has nnt 

arlopted, issucd or n~md to, is without 

Icgal offact or significnnce. 

'The Commission r!~~:Iind to make 

this change as 111~ term iclmtifitrl is a 

hroader tom t*-hicli al1n1v.s trilw to 

shot\- that they an- ervart: nf 111~ 

environment. public hralth and safety 

laws that apply fo the~r facilktles ~vcn if 

those lntvs may not !lave hwn 

spccificaPlr promul~nt~d bv the tribes 

tlrcms~lres. 

Rna cnn~menter suggestad that in 

orcler to h~ cnnsiSfent with th~ 

1nterpretatir.c KuEr, the Commission 

shon?d considrr spgu~ring tfi~ trih~ to 

cert if? that it has estal~li~hstl policies. 

procedures or svstrms for mor~itnriilq 

compliance. No change was mailo \>:ised on this su~qestinn. The Commission 

anticipates that the threepear rennwal 

pracess fnr fncilitv 1ir:ensin: will enstlrp 

that a system for ongoing monitoring is 

in lace. 

8ne mrnrnenter mrnrnendod that 

clarification is needed in 5 559.5{a)[3] to 

determine wl~ether the rqylation 

intenrEs for the er~titv or fhing which the 

trih is tn cer!ify tn be in cnmplia~lc~ 

with various laws is [i) the trihe: [ii) the 
6028 Federal Redster / VoI. 73. No. 22 1Fridav. Februaw I. 2008 l Rules and Regulations -. - 

place, faciliv or location: [iii) the 

 gamin^ nparation; or [iv) some comhinat~nn of the thm, The lanpage 

ar?optsth~ appmach that the trihe 

c~rti5es that lmth th~ gaming operation 

and thr place, facility or Iocatie~i fiut 

not the trrllc: ATC in compltance with the 

identified larvs. 

Thr: mIr! mirrors the Ianzuage used in 

IGRtl when it pl~cps recp!;lt~ry 

r~sponsihekit?~ nn a "tri!~~ * Nuthing, 

hnrwrrr. pruhibits a tri!)~ from t.t?qting 

;r trit~al gamin: ct~rnm~ssinn with thp 

authnrity to act in compliance t:vEth the 

ns?e. 

nnt: cnrnrnttntcr suggested that 

considt!ration should bl: gi17en to adding 

appropriate ianjiuags tn accommodate 

t!lr5 possihiI~ty tll:bt, at thc time of the 

triiw,'s submissinn tn !he Cnmrniq~iun. 

tile gamin? operatinn nnr! nr jiaminfi 

plarn, fac~iity nr localiorl is nut in full 

r:n~plin~lcr.. The commenter 

mcornrnend~d add in^ the phrase "or. if 

P!IP :ribc has identified anlnnncnmpl~anc:e, ?he trihe I~ss taken 

appropriate action tn Pnsurt fufi~r~ 

cn?np?:anc:l?" tn This section. 

T!IP I:nmmission a,grwrl with this 

conwpt and cl~anaerl fhl~ section to 

mzl~iiirp fhat if n tr~he is not in 

cnmplianc~ mtli any nr all nf its 

ttnriron~llcntnl ant! ~lublic health and 

snf~!y Ialz-s. wsolutions, cotles, policies. 

standards or procedures, the tribe will 

ir!rn!ifv thos~ rrit!l trliich it is not in 

comptiance. ant1 rvi!I adnpt anti submit 

its w~ittm plan for the specific action it 

\+-ill take, within a ptriori nnt to ~xcmd 

six mnnths, rquirpd for mrnpliancc. At 

the s~tccessfi~l r:nmpletinn of such 

writtrn plan. or at :Ilr expintion of the 

period allorv~rl for its complrti rm, the 

ti-I'!)c! shall rrpnr! thr status tttereof to 

th~ Cnrnmins!on. In the event that the 

trihe ~siirnatps that ac!inn tnr 

compliance \r.ilI exceed six months. the 

C?~airman rntIst concur in wch an 

extension oF?I?a time period, otherwise 

thr trihp will be dwrn~tl nnncompliant. 

T!IP Ci~ninnan will takr into 

consirll~mtjon consequences on the 

environment ant! the pubIic health and 

safrtl*, as weJ1 as rnitiyting measures the frih may provitl~ in the interim, in 

his nr hcr consi den: inn of mj~rcsts far 

such an cxterlsiun of the :imp pcriod. 

One cornmentpr pnintd 011t flip 

confusion in usage nf :he tms 

"fac~l~t~rs" anti"open?ions" with tha 

comd tcrrn being "gaming faciiiti~s." T31r Commlssian i:,c,m~r! t\+?tll tl?r 

comrnPntPr nnrl challcrr! :he term to be 

mns~stmt tl~rougIrr,~:' the rcgtllntion. 

O~P r-nrnmentvr C.I:TW~PC! .!la! the 

lanjir~age of A 5sfr.5(b) ,:s r\-rlttcn is 

ovt,rilnud. and u:~clear as tn cr!~etI~er it 

mq111rr.: only n !!st of itcms rnatcrinl to 

thr :aplc, or yurres de:ailed 

information of specific laws. 

msolutinns. cdes, policies, or procedures far each area. The 

commenter also requested that the 

Commission specilv how much detail is 

required in the information to be 

submitted with tho facilie license. ne 

comrnenttrr wquested an option for the 

gaminq operation to list the name of the 

appjicablt! policy and procetturp manual 

or to idantifr. individual items that are 

material, and to allow an opfion to 

CIRI'AIO~ anti submit a matrlx in the form 

of a tahle or spreadsheet. 

T~P Commission recognizes that 

trihes may utilize varying internal 

m~?t!~ods for maintain~ng this 

infnrrnatisn anti refrain~d fmm 

spccifving what fom the li~t of

a?p;ic.ahl~ laws must take. This rvill 

allm~ each Tacilif). to slll>mlt the 

inForrnation in the form or format that 

is appropriate lor each facility without 

the NIC;(: dictating a particular approach 

whicll may rq~~ise inmasncl resouren 

at the tribal I~vel. 

Qnn commenter sugg~sted that 

consideration should he given to adding 

the phrase "'to the extent not almndy 

addressed by applicable federal laxr~s, 

rq~lat~ans and standards" tn 5559.5b). 

The C~mrnission did not make this 

change. The lanp~age in this sestinn 

aIwa(Jy addresses the commenter's- concern ~.:th the phrase "otIi~r than 

federal 1~~s." 

One cammentw su~ested the 

Commission consider whether the 

topics of "fire mppreasion" and "law 

enforcement and security" in 

5 559..i:hI(l] should br! illdependant 

top~cs rather than subsets .of "emergency 

preparecl~~ess." 

Tlsr! Co~nmissian determined that the 

topics are appropriately grouped and 

declined to make this change. 

One cornmenter pninted nut that the 

phase '*faci!ity, place or location" in 

6 559.5(a)(6] differs from the statutory 

lanpiag~ of IGR-1 which reads "place. 

faci!iTy or Iocatton." 

Tile Commission aped with this 

comrnmt and made the chanao. 

One commenter requested that the 

Commission include tribal qulation in 

its list of laws governin: the gaming 

opsmtion in $559.5(a](G). 

The Commission did not make this 

change becatwe the term "lars-s" in this 

section is meant to include all laws 

appl~cable to the gaming operations, 

rcIiicll includes tribal larvs. 

One commenter requ~sted that if a trills's enulronment. public health and 

safety laws are available in a puhlic 

lncatlon, the tribe- natlfy ?he 

Commission so the Contrnission can Ior~fe such items and as necessay can 

notify members ol the public ~vho mak~ 

in uirw 

The timission did not make this 

chan~e in the lanpage nf the n~le. Any 

information ohtailled from trihs in 

relation to this n~l~ will he gnvmmd by 

the Freedom of I~~formation Act. 

However. if the information provided hv 

the trib~ isavailable publically and the 

Commission has sucI: irlformation 

av~ilahl~, it cnulcl direct inquirips to thp 

appropriate plthlir: site. 

Section 5fiS.G-Does a tH?w nd lo 

noti,{v f he Chnirmnn ~f o fncili!,v lirnnsr 

is terminated or not vnpl+rrl or if 0 

gaming plow, fncili fy. or Incotion 

rlos~s:' 

One cornm~nter mnmrn~nd~d that 

that stata Go~~ernors aEso receiv~ 

notification of th~ termination or nonre~rewal of a ciaas III facility license bv a triha, or if such a ~aming facil~tv 

closes or reopens, 

Thp rfimrnission disapm. Indian 

vrning is an ~xpression of the sovereign 

right of Indian tril~rs to regulate their 

o1r.n affairs an fl~~ir 0w.n land, ~eparat~ 

and apart from the law and 

mquir~ments of the states nor th~ir 

political sulxfivisions. To the extent 

Conpss wished the involvement of the 

states in Indian gaming, IGRrZ so 

provides. and the Commission dm not 

~I~AI'P it to he appropriat~: tn ad(! mnw. 

As facility 1icensr:lfi is il matter r~f 

gaming rvIatinn, nntifir-tion to the 

stntes ma!+ bn prnvi(lcd fnr 11y trihal-state 

compacts. 

One cnmmenter mcommended adding 

"mopen*" to tIip ~nd of the titlp in 

5 55s.6. Thr! langt~ngt! would read "~ES 

a tribe nmd to nutifi, the Chairman ih 

facilitv Iicense is tr.nn~r~at~d nr not 

renewed ar if a garnr1ls place. facility. nr location closed nr mpens7" 

TIIP Com~nissinn agrrcs with this 

mo~nm~ndstl chengr. 

Sedion fi59.7-Mav fhr Chairman 

requ~st Indioa Innds or ~nttironm~ntal 

ond ptlblic Iiealth and safr? 

documentntfon m!findinfi nr~ygaming 

~ICICP, focjIj?y. or !ocuti~n 81.h P.~P gan~ in,e 

w*ill occttr? 

Sptwr~l commentam waw cnncmpd 

that the language in this section relating 

to the Chairman's discretion in 

request in^ adriitional documentation 

was too broad anrl allnn~arI for too much 

interpretation on rr-l~at to rqrwst an the 

part clf bhr C:I~nirman. 

T~F! Cr~rn~nissinn has endeavored to 

requim only t?l~ minjmunt nldigafinn for 

dncr~rn~ntatinn submission. t~ul mr~sl 

resenre th~ ri~ht of 111~ <:hairman tfl 

req?lest ~ddirional infnmation in the 

event it is necessary to carry out h14 or 

her duties 111 errsrlring that all gaming 
Federal Register / Vol. 73, KO. 22 1 Friday, February I, 2008 1 Rules and Rqplations 6029 

- - - .- - -- -- - - -- 

facilities !s !mated on Indian lands 

and m opf?~?]tecl in a msnnw that 

ildttquat~ly protects th~! en~+imnmsnt, 

ptli-rlic health ant! saf~ty. 

(he curnrnentpr roqricsted lanyxiga in 

this ,wction tn clarik ?!la! the "T~be*' 

anti "Tribnl Gamin: Rtyulafory 

.2uthonfr. arp s~parat~ v.ntitr~s ant! it is 

thp *Tribal (;nmir!g KP?I]A:~~I' .4ut hnrity 

who IS rrapnnci?::~ frlr ~nforcinq the 

enrironmr:~t, pti!)Iic h~aIt11 ant! safety 

Intw and fnr iss?~~ng th~ ';rcilit~ 

1rmflSe.'' 

Thr: nll~ mirrors the language used in 

IGk4 wh~n it places rqi!nton' 

m~pnnsiiiility nn a "trih~." Nothing, 

Iinw~r,~r, prohihits a tri!)e Imm vesting 

n killal. gamin: commission w~th the 

aut!loritv to act in complianw t\ith the 

ruIe. 

One cornm~nter requ~2tad that tlie 

Cnmmissinn d~la~? thr: phrase "as 

naadpd" from $559.; nr change to 

"fmn timr to trm~" so thprp is no dispute as to rv!lat Is "'nrerird." 

'I?ta Cornmissinn awed 1%-ith 

cornmpntar and rcmflverl '9s ntfe(iPd" 

from thls swtirln.