An environmental impact study concerning Las Vegas Sands’ proposal to construct a casino hotel at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, NY, might soon be unveiled for public scrutiny. On Wednesday, the Nassau County Legislative Rules Committee unanimously approved the release of the study, setting the stage for a full legislative review and subsequent public hearing.
Las Vegas Sands aims to erect a $6 billion casino hotel at the Nassau Coliseum site, a project that has sparked considerable debate. Despite the controversy, the proposal is regarded as one of the most credible bids in the fierce competition for the three New York City-area casino licenses yet to be awarded. Nearly a dozen gaming companies and their partners are vying for these coveted licenses, which the state is expected to grant late next year.
While the legislative committee’s decision to advance the environmental impact study might appear to be a routine procedural step, it holds significant weight. Environmental issues have been a key factor in the legal challenges faced by the casino proposal. Last year, New York State Supreme Court Justice Sarika Kapoor ruled in favor of Hofstra University in a lawsuit. The court found that Sands’ lease transfer agreement with Nassau County breached New York’s open meeting laws, and suggested that the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) may have been inadequately addressed in the initial agreement. The ruling mandated that Nassau County must provide residents with ample opportunity to voice their concerns about the potential environmental impact of such a large-scale project.
The ongoing environmental review is critical to Sands’ ambitions for a Long Island casino on multiple fronts. Under New York law, the lease transfer for Nassau Coliseum between the county and the gaming company cannot be finalized until the review is complete. The Nassau County Legislative Rules Committee has yet to disclose the findings of the impact study publicly, but this information could soon be revealed.
Whether the release of the environmental review findings will sway public perception of the casino project remains uncertain. Supporters argue that the proposed gaming venue could invigorate the local economy and generate significant revenue for cash-strapped New York. However, detractors warn of potential harmful effects, particularly environmental concerns. In September, an opposition group claimed that the Sands casino could exacerbate Long Island’s already stressed drinking water supply and lead to other long-term environmental consequences.
