County terminates Cowlitz casino agreement

Wednesday, April 8, 2009  

Commissioners in Clark County, Washington, voted 2-1 to terminate a casino agreement with the Cowlitz Tribe.

The county signed a deal in 2004 but it was struck down in state court due to lack of public notice and comment. Commissioners talked about negotiating a new agreement but opposition to the Cowlitz Casino Resort overpowered them.

Meanwhile, the tribe adopted the agreement into its gaming ordinance and promised to abide by it. The National Indian Gaming Commission approved the ordinance.

The environmental impact statement for the tribe's land-into-trust application was awaiting final approval near the end of the Bush administration. The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar may affect the tribe, whose recognition was finalized in 2000.

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County terminates pact with tribe (The Columbian 4/8)