Judge hears dispute over Cowlitz Tribe's long delayed casino

Friday, March 8, 2013  

A federal judge held a hearing in a lawsuit that seeks to stop the Cowlitz Tribe from opening a casino in Washington.

The tribe gained federal recognition in 2000 and submitted a land-into-trust application soon afterwards. After a lengthy review process, the Bureau of Indian Affairs approved plans for a casino at a 152-acre site in 2010.

The decision prompted Clark County in Washington and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in Oregon to sue the Obama administration. Among other claims, they say the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar prevents the BIA from placing land in trust for tribes that weren't "under federal jurisdiction" in 1934 -- long before the Cowlitz gained federal recognition.

Judge Richard W. Roberts hasn't ruled on the merits of the case. But he denied a motion to throw out a revised record of decision that supported the Cowlitz Casino Resort, The Columbian reported.

Roberts ordered additional briefing but has not yet set a date for trial, the paper said.

Get the Story:
County motion in casino case denied (The Columbian 3/8)

Cowlitz Tribe heads back to federal court to defend casino plan (3/6)