SEARCH NEWS:

 

Oregon County Approves Tribal Agreement

VANCOUVER, Oregon – As reported by the Oregonian: "In a meeting marked by angry outbursts from some audience members, Clark County commissioners Tuesday unanimously approved an agreement that will govern relations with the Cowlitz tribe if it develops 152 acres west of La Center junction.

"The anticipated use of the land -- a casino -- drew a less-than-enthusiastic response. The tribe is preparing an environmental assessment for a casino, although it has not formally announced its plans.

"The next step, expected within about two weeks, is for the tribe to resubmit, with more detail, an application to the U.S. Department of the Interior to place the land in federal trust. That would take it off the tax rolls and exempt it from local laws.

"The resolution to adopt the agreement also reaffirmed that the commissioners are not expressing support for the trust application and that the county does not allow gambling outside city limits in unincorporated Clark County.

"…But commissioners also agreed that they have no power to approve or deny the application by the tribe to the federal government, nor could they influence decisions about whether a casino is developed there…"

< Gaming News