Full House Resorts Announces Huron Potawatomi Casino Project Moves Forward
	Full House Resorts (AMEX:FLL) announced today the issuance by the Bureau of Indian Affairs of a Record of Decision (ROD) approving the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared for the fee-to-trust transfer and reservation designation of land for the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians (the Tribe) to be used for the Firekeepers' Casino in Calhoun County, Michigan.
Full House has a management agreement with the Tribe for the development and management of a first-class casino/resort in the Battle Creek, Michigan area, which is currently in development. The plan includes 2,000 state of the art slot machines, 44 table games and 6 food and beverage outlets catering to every level of service. On behalf of the tribe, Full House is planning a development which will rival the best available in the area and offer competitive services and amenities. The casino will employ approximately 1,220 full-time employees as well as those needed for construction. The ROD is the final and formal agency action approving the environmental study under the National Environmental Policy Act. The findings of the EIS that the development would result in substantial beneficial impacts and no significant negative effects after mitigation were incorporated into the ROD. The issuance of the ROD allows the Secretary of the Interior to take the land into trust, subject to the pending lawsuit brought by Citizens Exposing the Truth About Casinos, which objected to the initial environmental study conducted over four years ago. The new study, resulting in more than 2200 pages of documentation, came to the same conclusions as originally stated. Based on the renewed findings from the EIS, the Tribe has asked the United States District Court to dismiss the lawsuit and vacate the pending injunction to allow the land to be taken into trust. "After more than two years of methodical and thorough investigation, public hearings, public review and public comments, we hope that all can now see that the casino will be positive for the community and our Tribe," said Huron Band Chairwoman Laura Spurr. "The Tribe has always and will continue to dedicate itself to being an outstanding environmental steward. "While several administrative details and potential court procedures remain, this ROD reestablishes the authority of the Tribe to move forward in our efforts. It is time now to focus on bringing much needed jobs and increased economic vitality to the region." Andre M. Hilliou, Chief Executive Officer of Full House said, "We have taken another step forward in this development process. We congratulate the Tribe on this progress and look forward to opening day, which is coming closer all the time."