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Group Opposes Washington Casino Development

VANCOUVER, Washington– As reported by the Oregonian: " An organization of business and community leaders committed to fighting development of a Cowlitz tribal casino at La Center junction was announced Thursday by Vancouver community activist and philanthropist Ed Lynch.

"The purpose of the group, Lynch said in a news release, is to raise the level of awareness in Clark County about the impact such a casino would have on 'transportation, particularly the Interstate5 corridor, schools, the nearby wildlife refuge, housing, jobs, crime, drugs, suicides, divorce and more.'

"Lynch said the tribe does not have historical roots in Clark County but chose the location at La Center junction for economic reasons.

"Informed of Lynch's comments, David Barnett, a member of the Cowlitz Tribal Council who has led efforts to develop the casino, said he was disappointed.

"…The Cowlitz Tribe has applied to the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs to place 152 acres at the junction in federal trust and make the land the tribe's initial reservation. Placing the land in trust would exempt it from local land-use regulations and remove it from local tax rolls.

"The tribe intends to build a 250-room hotel and a 160,000-square-foot casino that would be almost the size of the casino at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas…"

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