The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have signed an agreement with the city of Pasco, Washington, that will allow it to move forward with economic development projects that could include a casino and a water park on 184 acres in the northeast part of the city.
While plans are being made, the tribe could put in a convenience store and gas station on the parcel.
Tribal Chairman Rodney Cawston told the Spokane Spokesman-Review, “We haven’t made any firm decisions. We want to interact with local officials.”
The tribe plans a public signing ceremony with the Pasco City Council. Once the agreement is in hand, the next step is to apply to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to put the land into trust for reservation land.
The 9,500-member Confederated Tribes includes the Palus Band. The tribe said one reason for the purchase of the land was to bring the Band back to its traditional homeland.
Cawston said, “The Palus people lived in this part of the country for millennia, and their connection to their historic territory is strong to this day. “He added, “The word ‘Pasco’ is in fact derived from the Palus place name, ‘Pasxa.’”
Pasco’s City Manager Dave Zabell also commented, “The city is looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the Colville Tribes as we work together for the betterment of our communities.”
