New city leaders open to talks for Cowlitz casino

Monday, November 9, 2009  

Newly elected members of the city council in La Center, Washington, want to discuss gaming with the Cowlitz Tribe.

In the past, the city council opposed the tribe's land-into-trust application for a casino. But with three new members on the council, there are enough votes to enter into talks with the tribe.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs issued a final environmental impact statement in favor of the application. But the Bush administration failed to make a decision before the U.S. Supreme Court decided Carcieri v. Salazar.

The application is on hold as a result of the decision. The tribe didn't gain formal federal recognition in 2000, long past the 1934 cut-off date in the ruling.

Cowlitz Chairman Bill Iyall testified at last week's House Natural Resources Committee hearing in favor of a land-into-trust fix.

Get the Story:
La Center may vote on talks with tribe (The Columbian 11/9)

Committee Notice:
Full Committee Legislative Hearing On H.R. 3742 And H.R. 3697 (November 4, 2009)

Land-Into-Trust Fix:
S.1703 | H.R.3697 | H.R.3742

Supreme Court Decision:
Syllabus | Opinion [Thomas] | Concurrence [Breyer] | Dissent [Stevens] | Concurrence/Dissent [Souter]

Supreme Court Documents:
Oral Argument Transcript | Briefs