Cowlitz Tribe in discussions with county about stance on casino

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Construction is progressing quickly on the Cowlitz Tribe's casino in Washington. Still image from Live Construction Feed / Cowlitz Casino Project

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The Cowlitz Tribe of Washington is in talks with a long-time casino opponent.

Clark County has been fighting the Cowlitz Casino Project for more than a decade. But officials are now open to working with the tribe to address shared concerns.

The issue was on the agenda for a meeting on Tuesday but the tribe objected to language in a proposed resolution that stated that the county was still opposed to the casino, The Columbian reported. So it was put off to continue talks, the paper said.

Even if the county changes its position, it might not affect a lawsuit that questions whether the Bureau of Indian Affairs should have approved the land-into-trust application for the casino. A judge sided with the agency but opponents took the case to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Oral arguments were head before a packed courtroom in Washington, D.C., in March. Besides the county, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in neighboring Oregon are also opposed to the new casino.

The city of Vancouver was part of the lawsuit too but the city council there voted to withdraw from the case and enter into talks with the tribe.

Get the Story:
Clark County delays decision to talk with Cowlitz (The Columbian 5/18)
Vancouver Council Overturns Resolution Opposing Cowlitz Casino (Northwest Public Radio 5/17) $P 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)

DOI Solicitor Opinion:
M-37029: The Meaning of "Under Federal Jurisdiction" for Purposes of the Indian Reorganization Act (March 12, 2014)

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