![](https://www.indianz.com/IndianGaming/2016/11/09/ilanicasinoresort110916.jpg)
Construction is progressing quickly on the Cowlitz Tribe's gaming facility in Washington. Photo from ilani Casino Resort Construction Feed The Cowlitz Tribe remains on track to open a long-awaited casino in just a few short months. The ilani Casino Resort is due to open on April 17, 2017. But opponents in Washington are hoping to derail the celebration by asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the matter. The effort by a group called Citizens Against Reservation Shopping, non-Indian card rooms and three landowners is a long shot. The Supreme Court only accepts a small percentage of the petitions it is presented. But the petition in Citizens Against Reservation Shopping v. Jewell might be attractive to the justices because it marks the first major test of their decision in the Carcieri v. Salazar case. In February 2009, with the Obama administration still fresh on the job, the nation's highest court held that the Bureau of Indian Affairs can only approve land-into-trust applications for tribes that were "under federal jurisdiction" in 1934. The Cowlitz didn't gain formal recognition until 2000 so opponents saw an opening to fight the casino. The justices, however, did not define the meaning of the phrase "under federal jurisdiction" so the BIA has developed a test to determine whether it can approve a land-into-trust application for any particular tribe. The Cowlitz survived the scrutiny and finally broke ground on the casino earlier this year. The federal government's response to the petition is due no later than November 28, according to Docket No. 16-572. The casino opponents will be able to file a reply before the case is presented to the justices for review. Should they accept the petition, that would start another round of briefs, which would be authored by the new administration of Republican president-elect Donald Trump, who has not offered any Indian policy specifics thus far. The Supreme Court is still down one member following the death of Antonin Scalia and Trump is likely to name his successor. Read More on the Story:
Ilani casino opponents will make one last appeal attempt (The Battle Ground Reflector 11/9)
La Center hears ideas for I-5 junction upgrade (The Columbian 11/8) D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Decision:
Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon v. Jewell (July 29, 2016) Department of the Interior Solicitor Opinion:
M-37029: The Meaning of "Under Federal Jurisdiction" for Purposes of the Indian Reorganization Act (March 12, 2014)
Join the Conversation
Related Stories
Cowlitz
Tribe faces one more legal hurdle before opening casino (11/01) Grand Ronde Tribes drop legal challenge to Cowlitz Tribe casino (10/31)
Cowlitz Tribe spends $32M for highway project at new casino (10/27)
Cowlitz Tribe announces more executives for fast-rising casino (10/20)
Grand Ronde Tribes still working on plans at former racetrack (09/21)
Tribes clash over new casino but agree on #NoDAPL movement (09/20)
Grand Ronde Tribes ask Supreme Court to hear casino land case (09/13)
Grand Ronde Tribes might stand alone in battle against new casino (08/22)
Grand Ronde Tribes keep battling Cowlitz Tribe's casino in court (8/17)
Grand Ronde Tribes plan hotel and won't rule out casino at new site (08/01)
Cowlitz Tribe wins major court ruling on land-into-trust application (07/29)
Cowlitz Tribe announces name in Salish language for fast-rising casino (06/21)
Oregon tribe funds suit against Cowlitz Tribe's fast-rising casino (6/20)
Cowlitz Tribe on track to open long-awaited casino in 10 months (6/17)
Cowlitz Tribe announces more hires for casino management team (06/08)
Cowlitz Tribe welcomes discussions with opponent for casino (05/25)
Cowlitz Tribe in discussions with county about stance on casino (5/18)
Cowlitz Tribe reporting significant progress on fast-rising casino (5/17)
Cowlitz Tribe hosted Donald Trump to discuss his interest in casino (5/9)
Cowlitz Tribe hosts forums on casino construction and related work (5/5)
Cowlitz Tribe aims to hire locals as casino construction continues (5/2)
Grand Ronde Tribes still weighing plans at site of former racetrack (04/14)
Cowlitz Tribe accuses county of threatening casino site workers (04/08)
Appeals court in D.C. hears closely watched land-into-trust case (03/18)
Cowlitz Tribe faces unusual opposition to casino wastewater plant (03/07)
Opponents of Cowlitz Tribe ask judge to put a stop to casino work (3/4)
Cowlitz Tribe and city reach long-awaited agreement for casino (3/2)
Cowlitz Tribe included waiver of immunity in old casino agreement (3/1)
Cowlitz Tribe won't stop working on casino despite county threat (2/29)
Cowlitz Tribe starts hiring process for long-awaited casino resort (2/25)
Cowlitz Tribe celebrates start of construction on $500M casino (02/15)
Cowlitz Tribe close to reaching agreement with city for new casino (2/5)
Donald Trump once claimed IGRA and tribal casinos were illegal (01/29)
Cowlitz Tribe plans to debut long-awaited casino in spring of 2017 (01/27)
Republican lawmaker questions Cowlitz Tribe's gaming project (01/22)
Cowlitz Tribe turned down Donald Trump for gaming partnership (10/05)