An environmental affect examine concerning Las Vegas Sands’ proposal to construct a on line casino resort at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, NY might quickly be launched.
The Nassau Coliseum. An environmental assessment of Las Vegas Sands’ proposed on line casino resort there was authorized by a legislative committee. (Picture: Newsday)
On Wednesday, the Nassau County Legislative Guidelines Committee unanimously voted to launch the environmental affect examine, setting the stage for the general public to assessment it. That transfer additionally paves the way in which for the complete legislature to vote on the matter.
Ought to the legislature log off on the environmental assessment, the subsequent step could be a public listening to on the matter.
Sands is hoping to construct a $6 billion on line casino resort on the website of Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale. Regardless of some controversy surrounding that effort, the LVS bid is extensively considered as probably the most credible within the downstate on line casino competitors. Almost a dozen gaming corporations and their companions are vying for the three New York Metropolis-area on line casino licenses the state has but to award. That’s anticipated to occur late subsequent 12 months.
Lengthy Island On line casino Environmental Overview is Vital Step
Whereas a single committee voting to advance the environmental affect examine seems to be nothing greater than a perfunctory legislative step, it’s significant as a result of environmental considerations had been among the many causes the on line casino proposal encountered authorized issue.
Final 12 months, New York State Supreme Courtroom Justice Sarika Kapoor sided with Hofstra College in a swimsuit introduced by the school, noting Sands’ lease switch settlement with Nassau County violated New York’s open assembly legal guidelines whereas including that the State Environmental High quality Overview Act (SEQRA) might have been glossed over within the unique settlement.
The court docket dominated that Nassau County should give residents enough alternative to precise considerations concerning how a large-scale venture reminiscent of an built-in resort might have an effect on the native setting.
The environmental assessment, which is at present ongoing, is significant to Sands’ Lengthy Island on line casino ambitions on a number of fronts, not the least of which is that beneath New York regulation, the lease switch on Nassau Coliseum between the county and the gaming firm can’t be finalized till the assessment is full.
Environmental Considerations
The Nassau County Legislative Guidelines Committee didn’t publicly element the findings within the affect examine, however these particulars might quickly see the sunshine of day. Whether or not or not that alters perceptions of the on line casino venture stays to be seen.
So far, Sands’ Lengthy Island on line casino pitch has resembled comparable efforts in different components of the nation. Supporters see the proposed gaming venue as an avenue for bolstering the native economic system and producing extra income for cash-strapped New York, whereas detractors see the gaming venue as having deleterious results, together with on the setting.
In September, an opposition group stated the Sands on line casino might pressure Lengthy Island’s already restricted consuming water provide, including that the venture might produce other unfavorable long-term environmental penalties.
