The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde operate the Spirit Mountain Casino in Grand Ronde, Oregon. Photo from Facebook
Despite losing another round in court, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde are still trying to stop the Cowlitz Tribe from opening a new casino. On July 29, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals cleared the path for the Cowlitz Tribe's ilani gaming facility in Washington. In the unanimous decision, a three-judge panel said the Bureau of Indian Affairs was right to approve the land-into-trust application for the fast-rising project. But Grand Ronde leaders aren't giving up. They will be asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the dispute, Smoke Signals -- the tribe's newspaper -- reported. The Grand Ronde Tribes operate the Spirit Mountain Casino in Oregon. They are expecting to lose as much as 41 percent of their revenues after ilani opens, The Salem Statesman Journal reported.
Indianz.Com SoundCloud: D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Oral Arguments in Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon v. Sally Jewell
"This will be a big financial hit to the tribe, and as a government that offers essential services like health care and education, we have to decide where we go from here because of this decision,” lobbyist Justin Martin told the paper. Spirit Mountain is located about two hours driving distance from ilani but it depends largely on patrons from the Portland area. The Cowlitz casino will only be about a half hour drive from Portland. The Cowlitz Tribe plans to open ilani on April 17, 2017. Read More on the Story:
Tribe planning to appeal Cowlitz ruling (Smoke Signals 8/1)
Grand Ronde could lose 41 percent of revenue to new casino (The Salem Statesman Journal 8/17) D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Decision:
Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon v. Jewell (July 29, 2016) Federal Register Notices:
Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions on Transportation Project in Washington State (May 3, 2016)
Proclaiming Certain Lands as Reservation for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe (November 13, 2015)
Land Acquisitions; Cowlitz Indian Tribe (May 8, 2013) Department of the Interior Solicitor Opinion:
M-37029: The Meaning of "Under Federal Jurisdiction" for Purposes of the Indian Reorganization Act (March 12, 2014)
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