Opinion: Gaming not good for the environment

Monday, February 25, 2008  

"I am amazed at the great efforts the Native Americans of the Puget Sound region have made in investing the returns from their casinos. "Tribes are state's new high rollers — in business" [Times, Local News, Feb. 17] highlights the many areas of investment and wise use of the profits of the casinos.

I do not support or visit these facilities but I have seen the distribution of the wealth for many good causes in Kitsap County as the Suquamish Tribe supports the needs of the lower-income members of the tribe; and how they have provided an economic base for the tribal members.

However, I find it very discouraging to see use of these funds for the sole purpose of supporting the economic industry that is destroying the environment. In the years that I have been involved in efforts to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat, the tribal biologists have been some of the strongest advocates for salmon recovery efforts. In many cases where development is threatening the environment, the tribes have used their influence and treaty rights to protect the environment.

All of the major projects described in The Times article are resulting in massive and significant negative impacts on the environment and on the sacred salmon that the tribes hold up to the public as a critical indicator of environmental destruction. I read with alarm in "Study: 2 key Southwest lakes could dry up by 2021" that the Colorado River is drying up. The waters stored behind Hoover Dam and Glen Canyon Dam are drying up at a rate much faster than had been previously predicted. Scientists from the Scripps Institute have indicated that the potable water supply and power systems will fail by the year 2021 unless dramatic changes take place in how the region uses this water."

Get the Story:
Wayne Daley: A natural hand (The Seattle Times 2/23)