Coquille Tribe brushes off criticism from rival amid long wait for land decision

Friday, March 1, 2019  

The Coquille Tribe isn't worried about a rival's effort to derail a long-awaited casino decision in Oregon.

The tribe started the land-into-trust process for the 2.42-acre site in Medford more than four years ago. Plans call for a Class II gaming facility, to be known as Cedars at Bear Creek, on the land.

The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians has long opposed the proposal out of fear it will impact its Seven Feathers Casino Resort. But after The Medford Mail Tribune reported about the Coquille Tribe's purchases of additional land near the site, Chairman Dan Courtney asked for a meeting with the Trump administration.

"It appears that Coquille has grossly misrepresented to federal, state and local governments the actual scope and scale of its proposed Medford gaming facility," the Cow Creek chairman wrote in a February 21 letter to Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs John Tahsuda, The Mail Tribune reported.

The Coquille Tribe denies the claims as baseless. The casino will be restricted to the original 2.42 acres, a spokesperson said, although another 45 acres have been acquired in recent years.

“This letter is just another attempt to delay the project,” communications director Ray Doering told The Mail Tribune in response to the Cow Creek Band's request.

Generally, land placed in trust after 1988 can't be used for a casino. The Coquilles, however, are seeking an exception in Section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act that applies to tribes that were restored to federal recognition.

The tribe gained recognition through the Coquille Restoration Act in 1989. The law requires the BIA to place up to 1,000 acres in trust.

The Cedars at Bear Creek site is in Medford, about 170 miles from the Mill Casino, the tribe's Class III facility in North Bend.

Casino face-Off (The Medford Mail Tribune February 28, 2019)
Cow Creek Tribe opposes proposed Coquille Tribe's casino in Medford (The Roseburg News-Review February 24, 2019)

Coquille Tribe 'still very frustrated' with long wait for land decision (February 19, 2019)
Tribes remain at odds over new gaming developments in Oregon (December 5, 2018)
Coquille Tribe questions governor's push to expand gaming options (October 29, 2018)
Brenda Meade: Coquille Tribe remains patient in quest for casino (September 5, 2016)
Brian Fraser: Don't let tribes open casinos everywhere they want (8/29)
Coquille Tribe faced threats for hosting Donald Trump supporters at casino (07/11)
Coquille Tribe economic data outlines impacts on existing casinos (06/09)
Coquille Tribe awaits environmental review for gaming project (05/24)
John Charles: Oregon governor shows hypocrisy on Indian gaming (05/09)
Oregon Lottery official fired as Lewis and Clark ads come down (04/27)
Coquille Tribe succeeds with complaint against state lottery ads (4/26)
Editorial: Oregon governor takes unusual stance on tribal gaming (4/25)
Coquille Tribe slams 'Lewis & Clark' campaign for Oregon Lottery (4/20)
Coquille Tribe questions opposition to new Class II gaming facility (4/14)
Tribes in Oregon clash over Class II off-reservation casino plan (4/11)
Coquille Tribe awaits next step in bid for off-reservation casino (10/02)
Cow Creek Band continues to oppose new Coquille Tribe casino (07/02)
BIA releases scoping report for Coquille Tribe's Class II facility (6/30)
Oregon tribe ready to welcome visitors to new Class II facility (05/06)
City questions BIA's use of firm for Coquille Tribe's casino report (03/13)
Oregon tribes continue battle over new Class II gaming facility (3/12)
Tribes in Oregon planning to open Class II gaming facility in April (02/25)
Coquille Tribe not worried about competition from a new casino (02/06)
BIA holds public hearing on Coquille Tribe off-reservation casino (02/04)
Cow Creek Band ties casino layoffs to economy and rival tribe (02/03)
City seeks role in review of Coquille Tribe's off-reservation casino (01/19)
BIA moves forward with Coquille Tribe off-reservation casino bid (01/16)