9th Circuit hears lawsuit over Nooksack casino

Monday, April 20, 2009  

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments on March 11 in a case challenging National Indian Gaming Commission approval of a casino for the Nooksack Tribe of Washington.

A group called the North County Community Alliance claims the NIGC shouldn't have approved the tribe's gaming ordinance because it wasn't site specific. A judge rejected the argument and the tribe opened the Nooksack Northwood Casino in November 2007.

But the judges on the 9th Circuit appeared to be receptive to the case, an officer with the group said. The group believes the Interior Department has failed to follow a consistent policy regarding site specific gaming ordinances.

The case is North County Community Alliance v. Kempthorne, No. 07-36048.

Get the Story:
Appeals judges weigh casino siting (The Lyden Tribune 4/17)

District Court Decision:
North County Community Alliance v. Kempthorne (November 16, 2007)