The Cowlitz Tribe of Washington remains confident of its casino despite another setback in court. The Bureau of Indian Affairs issued a record of decision in December 2010 after finalizing the environmental impact statement for the tribe's land-into-trust application. During the course of litigation, the Department of Justice learned that some documents were missing so a revised record of decision was issued in October 2012. Judge Barbara Rothstein, however, faulted the revised decision on procedural grounds. She ordered the BIA to issue a new one but the tribe isn't fazed by the latest delay. “The tribe’s legal position is very strong and we remain confident of the outcome," Chairman Bill Iyall told The Battle Ground Reflector. Clark County in Washington and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in Oregon are suing to block the proposed Cowlitz Casino Resort. 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. The Cowlitz didn't gain federal recognition until 2000. Get the Story:
Federal judge rules in favor of appeal of Cowlitz Casino decision (The Battle Ground Reflector 3/19) District Court Decision:
Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde v. Salazar (March 13, 2013)
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