With the public comment period now closed, support from state and local elected leaders is reinforcing momentum behind the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin’s proposed Hard Rock Casino and Hotel project in Kenosha.
The support also underscores that the Environmental Assessment provides a complete and sufficient record for federal decision‑making.
In detailed written submissions to the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, state legislators, city of Kenosha leaders, and Kenosha County officials expressed clear support for the project and concurred with the findings of the Draft Environmental Assessment, which concluded the project can move forward responsibly under federal law without significant environmental impacts.
A bipartisan group of Wisconsin state legislators submitted a joint letter to the BIA highlighting decades of collaboration between the Menominee Tribe and Wisconsin leaders to bring economic opportunity to the tribe and southeastern Wisconsin. The letter — signed by Reps. Elijah Behnke and Jeff Mursau, among others — expressed strong support for advancing the project based on the existing environmental review.
The legislators noted that the current proposal represents a scaled‑down version of earlier plans.
“The strong support expressed by state and local elected leaders reinforces what the Environmental Assessment clearly demonstrates: that this project has been thoroughly vetted and is ready to move forward, and any efforts calling for more ‘detailed’ environmental review are just an attempt to delay a project that will benefit the region and the tribe,” said Joey Awonohopay, Menominee chairman.
The BIA and the U.S. Department of the Interior will now review the administrative record as they consider final action on the project.
