Coquille Tribe to present off-reservation casino plan next week

Friday, April 19, 2013  

The Coquille Tribe of Oregon will present plans for its off-reservation casino next week.

The tribe wants to open a Class II facility on a 2.42-acre site in the city of Medford. That's more than three hours drive from the tribe's Mill Casino, a Class III facility.

The tribe submitted a land-into-trust application to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the site. Generally, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act bars casinos on land acquired after 1988.

But the Coquilles are seeking an exception in Section 20 of the law that applies to tribes that were restored to federal recognition. The tribe regained recognition through the Coquille Restoration Act in 1989.

The law is unique in that it states the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 "shall" apply to the tribe. It also states that the BIA "shall" accept up to 1,000 acres in trust for the tribe, with acquisitions beyond that limit to be processed on a discretionary basis.

The tribe will present its plans to the city council in Medford on Tuesday. A session with the Jackson County Board of Commissioners is also planned for Tuesday.

Get the Story:
Officials set to deal with Medford casino arguments (The Medford Mail Tribune 4/19)

Coquille Tribe accused of 'reservation shopping' for new casino (04/08)