Artist's rendering of proposed off-reservation casino. Image from STEP: Spokane Tribe Economic Project
The city council in Spokane, Washington, will meet Monday and will once again consider the Spokane Tribe off-reservation casino. The council previously passed a resolution to oppose the Spokane Tribe Economic Project. But a new resolution encourages the Obama administration to approve the project. The Bureau of Indian Affairs published the final environmental impact statement for the West Plains Mixed-Use Development over a year ago. A record of decision has yet to be issued. If the BIA approves, it may not matter what the city thinks. Under the two-part determination provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, Gov. Jay Inslee (D) has veto authority over the project. Since IGRA became law in 1988, only three tribes have opened casinos under the two-part determination process. One is the Kalispel Tribe, whose leaders oppose the Spokane casino. The Kalispel casino is less than three miles from the Spokane site. Get the Story:
Changing Course (The Pacific Northwest Inlander 2/20 Federal Register Notice:
Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Spokane Tribe of Indians West Plains Casino and Mixed Use Project, City of Airway Heights, Spokane County, WA (February 1, 2013) Related Stories:
Editorial: City can't help Spokane Tribe's off-reservation casino (2/19)
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