The Cowlitz Tribe of Washington won approval of a land-use agreement with Clark County on Tuesday.

Residents protested the agreement and tried to stop the county board from voting. A reported 150 people attended to show their opposition.

The agreement would govern how the tribe uses 152 acres of land it seeks to place into trust. The tribe is thinking about putting a casino there and is offering to pay the county for law enforcement. The tribe would cede criminal and civil jurisdiction until a tribal court is established.

The tribe gained final federal recognition in 2000 during the Clinton administration and is currently without land.

Get the Story:
Clark County gives tribe green light (AP 2/18)
County approves agreement with tribe (The Columbian 2/18)

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)