City hasn't taken official stance on Burns Paiute Tribe casino

Wednesday, June 9, 2010  

The city council in Ontario, Oregon, passed a resolution that encourages the Burns Paiute Tribe to pursue economic development projects in the area.

But the resolution said the city hasn't taken an official stance on a proposed casino. Council members want to know more about the project, conduct an impact study and hold public hearings.

The tribe previously filed a land-into-trust application for a site in the city in October 2006. The Bush administration stopped work on the application in January 2008, saying the tribe failed to submit enough information.

The new plan apparently involves a land swap. The tribe has reportedly asked Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) for assistance.

Ontario is near the Idaho border and is about 130 miles from tribal headquarters in Burns.

Get the Story:
City clarifies position on Burns-Paiute proposal (The Ontario Argus Observer 6/8)

Relevant Documents:
Letter to Burns Paiute Tribe [on last page] (January 4, 2008)

Related Stories:
Burns Paiute Tribe in discussions for off-reservation casino (6/4)
Rejected tribes want casinos too far from reservations (1/7)