The Cowlitz Tribe of Washington submitted a new land-into-trust request to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The tribe envisions a 41,800-square-foot casino on 152 acres. An environmental assessment was submitted in order to seek public comments.

Residents of Clark County and the city of La Center Junction are opposing the tribe's plans. They tried to stop the county from entering into an agreement with the tribe over land use, laws and revenue payments. The La Center city council met Tuesday night to consider the opposition.

The tribe received federal recognition through the BIA in 2000. It is not clear whether the BIA would treat the land-into-trust application as an initial reservation or subject it to more scrutiny, including approval from the state governor.

Get the Story:
Opposition steps up as tribe seeks trust status (The Oregonian 3/4)

Relevant Links:
Cowlitz Tribe - http://www.cowlitz.org

Related Stories:
County delays approval of deal with Cowlitz Tribe (02/13)
Republican Indians form coalition to re-elect Bush (02/09)
Cowlitz Tribe prepares land-into-trust documents (10/16)
Cowlitz Tribe seeks land-use agreement with county (09/05)