Feds reject Jemez-Peters off-rez casino

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - The federal government has rejected the Jemez Pueblo's controversial proposal to build a casino nearly 300 miles away from its tribal lands along the Texas-New Mexico border.

The Department of the Interior declined the tribe's request to acquire the land in trust, citing concerns about its ability to effectively exercise jurisdiction on the proposed gaming site.

The Jemez Pueblo wanted to team up with Santa Fe art dealer Gerald Peters to build a $55 million casino and hotel in Anthony. The plan was shot down in 2008 by the Bush Administration, which said it was too far from the pueblo to generate jobs for the tribe.

The Obama Administration, however, reopened some off-reservation casino applications, rejecting two and approving two others on Friday. The other three involved tribes in California.