The U.S. Department of the Interior moved 400 acres of Olmsted County land owned by the Prairie Island Indian Community into trust Friday, clearing the way for “an emergency interim gaming facility” in case Treasure Island Casino is flooded or damaged by an accident at the nearby nuclear plant.
The land, just south of Pine Island along U.S. Highway 52, is part of 1,200 acres that the Tribe acquired in 2019. The property was part of Tower Investments’ failed Elk Run biotechnology campus development.
Prairie Island Tribal Council President Grant Johnson described his community as grateful for the Bureau of Indian Affairs decision as well as the support of the City of Pine Island and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
