The Obama administration reaffirmed its support for the proposed Cowlitz Tribe casino in Washington.

In a motion filed in court last Friday, government attorneys said the Cowlitz can follow the land-into-trust process even though the tribe didn't gain formal federal recognition until 2000. The motion cites 1855 treaty negotiations, dealings with an Indian agent in the late 1800s and interactions with the Bureau of Indian Affairs up until the 1930s as proof that the tribe was "under federal jurisdiction" as of 1934.

The motion comes in litigation filed by Clark County, Washington, and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in neighboring Oregon. The county and the tribe claim the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar prevents the federal government from placing land into trust for the Cowlitz Casino Resort.

Get the Story:
U.S. still backs a Cowlitz casino (The Columbian 10/6)

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Editorial: Cowlitz Tribe's casino may never see light of day (09/14)