Washington Gov. Jay Inslee
(D) still hasn't made a decision on the off-reservation casino proposed by the Spokane Tribe.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs
approved the West Plains
Mixed-Use Development in Airway Heights under the two-part determination
provisions of the Indian
Gaming Regulatory Act. The law gives veto authority to the governor, who has a year from June 15, 2015, to concur or reject the decision.
"When we make that decision, and at the right time. I can't give you a specific date," Inslee said at a press conference, The Spokesman-Review reported.
Since IGRA became law in 1988, only three tribes have completed both steps of
the two-part determination process. One is the Kalispel Tribe, whose Northern Quest Resort and Casino
is less than three miles from the Spokane site. The Kalispels oppose the new
facility.
Get the Story:
No decision on Spokane Tribe casino, Inslee says
(The Spokesman-Review 10/1)
Relevant Documents:
BIA
Two-Part Determination Letter (June 15, 2015)
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:
Spokane
Tribe awaits governor's ruling on off-reservation casino (09/08)
Editorial:
Washington doesn't need another off-reservation casino (07/09)
Spokane Tribe
partners with Hard Rock for off-reservation casino (6/29)
Spokane Tribe
faces another hurdle in off-reservation casino bid (6/17)
Spokane Tribe
finally wins BIA approval for off-reservation casino (6/16)
Spokane Tribe
still waiting on decision for off-reservation casino (6/12)