The city of Vancouver, Washington, is asking Interior Secretary Gale Norton to conduct a new study of the Cowlitz Tribe's proposed casino.

The city claims the National Indian Gaming Commission erred in approving the tribe's casino ordinance. In making the decision, an attorney for NIGC said the tribe would be entitled to the "restored lands" exception in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

The opinion doesn't affect the tribe's land-into-trust application, which is pending before the Bureau of Indian Affairs. But the city claims a new study is needed to determine whether the tribe is eligible to conduct gaming on the site.

Get the Story:
Vancouver urges Interior chief to dismiss gaming official's opinion (The Columbian 3/1)
City attorney seeks new U.S. casino study (The Oregonian 3/1)