Posted Friday, February 3, 2012 --- 9:45 a.m.

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP) -- The city of Sheboygan is pursuing a casino development agreement with the owners of the Blue Harbor Resort and the Sokaogon Chippewa tribe.

Claremont New Frontier Resort, the Sokaogon Mole Lake and the city would develop a casino near Lake Michigan in Sheboygan's South Pier District. An off-reservation casino would need federal approval, which could be a lengthy process.

The Sheboygan Press (http://shebpr.es/yBpk9v ) says a contract approved by the Redevelopment Authority Thursday night requires the tribe, resort owners and the city to reach a development agreement in 180 days. The city would sell land on the South Pier to Claremont for the casino. If the project does not get federal approval, the city would have the option of buying back the land.

The Sokaogon Chippewa Community is a 1,200-member tribe with a reservation near Crandon.

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Information from: The Sheboygan Press, http://www.sheboygan-press.com

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.