Last week a U.S. District court sided with the Cowlitz Tribe of Washington state, removing obstacles to the tribe establishing a reservation along Interstate 5 near La Center, and building a casino.
Judge Barbara J. Rothstein dismissed the lawsuits of opponents of the tribe, including the city of Vancouver, Clark County and the Confederated Tribes Of The Grand Ronde, who operate the Spirit Mountain Casino 65 miles from Portland and believe a La Center casino will harm their business. They had challenged the Department of the Interior’s decision to put 152 acres into trust for the tribe.
The tribe obtained federal recognition in 2000 and shortly thereafter applied to put land into trust. The federal government issued a Record of Decision in 2010 only to dismiss it a few months later.
The tribe signed a tribal state gaming compact last year, allowing it to have two casinos, one with 75 gaming tables and the other with 50.
The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde have said they will appeal.
