Oregon governor supports off-reservation casino for Warm Springs

Wednesday, September 8, 2010  

Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D) says he will approve an off-reservation casino for the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation.

Kulongoski's support is required under the two-part determination section of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Approval is also required from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

“If the Record of Decision is carried out before the end of the governor’s term, he does intend to concur,” a spokesperson for Kulongoski told The Dalles Chronicle.

In the history of IGRA, only four state governors have concurred with a two-part determination. Only three of the four projects actually opened.

Kulongoski is leaving office at the end of the year so the BIA will have to act soon. The two candidates for governor -- Democrat John Kitzhaber and Republican Chris Dudley -- say they oppose the casino.

Get the Story:
Governor will back casino (The Dalles Chronicle 9/7)

Federal Register Notice:
Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon Proposed Trust Acquisition and Resort and Casino Project, Cascade Locks, Hood River County, OR (August 6, 2010)

Related Stories:
Oregon candidates oppose Warm Springs off-reservation plan (8/11)
Warm Springs Tribes hail BIA movement on off-reservation casino (8/6)
BIA takes action with five gaming and gaming-related applications (8/6)