LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - The Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma has filed a motion in federal court in Oklahoma City that asks the federal government to quickly process an application granting reservation status to 30 acres of New Mexico land.

The tribe says the application for reservation status is a key step toward open a casino on the land off Interstate 10 in Luna County.

Governor Richardson is opposed to the casino and last month ordered state police to block access to it.

Federal law prohibits Indian gaming on most trust lands granted after 1988. The tribe gained its New Mexico trust land in 2002.

But one exception to the law is when a tribe is granted a reservation for the first time. That would be the case for the Fort Sill Apaches, if the New Mexico land is given reservation status.