County votes to file lawsuit against Cowlitz Tribe casino approval

Thursday, January 13, 2011  

Commissioners in Clark County, Washington, voted 3-0 on Wednesday to file a lawsuit against the Bureau of Indian Affairs for approving a casino for the Cowlitz Tribe.

The lawsuit will be the first major of the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Carcieri v. Salazar. The county says the tribe can't follow the land-into-trust process because it didn't gain formal recognition until 2000.

The county also plans to challenge the final environmental impact statement for the proposed Cowlitz Casino Resort.

Get the Story:
County will fight Cowlitz casino ruling (The Columbian 1/12)
Clark County to challenge approval of Cowlitz casino near La Center (The Oregonian 1/13)

Related Stories:
County considers possible appeal against Cowlitz Tribe casino bid (1/12)
Mohegan Tribe welcomes land-into-trust ruling on Cowlitz casino (1/11)
BIA decision on Cowlitz casino resolves land-into-trust questions (1/7)
BIA approves land-into-trust application for Cowlitz Tribe casino (12/23)