The Bureau of Indian Affairs held the fourth of five public hearings on an off-reservation casino in Oregon on Thursday and the turnout was as large as ever.

Hundreds of people have been turning up to voice their opinions on the casino sought by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. At issue are the distance of the gaming site from the reservation and the location in an area known for its natural beauty.

Under a new policy, the Bush administration says tribes seeking land far away from their reservations will be judged more harshly. Warm Springs supporters say the gaming site in Cascade Locks, which was part of the tribe's treaty territory, is only 69 miles from the northwestern border of the reservation.

Opponents say the distance that most tribal members will have to travel is much farther -- around 220 miles round trip. But a representative of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians said tribal members drive 150 miles round trip to their casino.

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and conservation groups are among those in opposition. They are worried about the potential impact on the environment.

The final hearing on the casino will be held on Monday.

Get the Story:
Backers, opponents of casino overflow hearing in Portland (The Oregonian 3/14)
Letters: Proposed Cascade Locks casino divisive (The Oregonian 3/14)