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Washington Tribal Casino Plans Move Forward

WOODLAND, Washington – As reported by the (Longview, Washington) Daily News:"Fresh developments make it more apparent that the Cowlitz Indian Tribe plans to build a casino in La Center, even though tribal leaders continue to insist they've made no official decision.

"…The tribe submitted an environmental study that describes an $8.5 million, 41,000 square-foot casino on 6.4 acres. The casino would feature 425 slot machines, six gaming tables, a buffet restaurant, deli and gift shop, according to the study, which is a revision of a plan the tribe submitted to the federal government last fall.

"Tuesday, tribal attorneys Dennis Whittlesey and Steven Horenstein told a meeting of the Woodland Chamber of Commerce that the casino would be a boon for Woodland businesses, something many Woodland businesspeople dispute.

"…In late March, tribal member David Barnett, son of tribal chairman John Barnett, made a $7 million balloon payment on 152 acres west of Interstate 5 near the La Center junction, Whittlesey said. The land includes the site of the proposed casino.

"…The casino would not contribute any tax dollars, but the tribe has agreed with Clark County to pay for some services, such as police protection. In addition, the casino would be a new job creator, and many of those jobs likely would go to non-Indians, Horenstein said…"

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