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Coalition Forms to
Protect Oregon from
Negative Impacts of Off-Reservation Casinos A diverse group of 13 small business, environmental, tribal and pro-family organizations have formed a new coalition to oppose Governor Kulongoski's plan to build the state's first and largest Indian casino off reservation lands in the Columbia River Gorge. The coalition released the findings of a new statewide poll that shows 61% of Oregonians are concerned about the expansion of gambling and casinos... Coalition Forms to Protect Oregon from Negative Impacts of Off- Reservation Casinos Thursday May 19, 6:18 pm ET PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 19, 2005--Coalition for Oregon's Future: A diverse group of 13 organizations unite to oppose Governor Kulongoski's plan for the state's first and largest off-reservation casino at Cascade Locks in the Columbia River Gorge area and releases new poll showing 63% of Oregonian's oppose the plan and 71% believe it will lead to even more off-reservation casinos in the future A diverse group of 13 small business, environmental, tribal and pro-family organizations have formed a new coalition to oppose Governor Kulongoski's plan to build the state's first and largest Indian casino off reservation lands in the Columbia River Gorge. The coalition believes the move will lead to even more casinos in urban areas, damage the natural scenic beauty of the Columbia River Gorge and will hurt small businesses and families. So far, the organizations involved represent more than 50,000 people. Initial coalition members include: The Oregon Family Council, Friends of the Columbia Gorge, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Oregon Restaurant Association, Trout Unlimited, Oregon Center for Environmental Health, Friends of Mt. Hood, McKenzie Guardians, Stronger Families for Oregon, OSPIRG, Oregon Toxics Alliance, Parents Education Association and WashPIRG. The proposed casino, which will be located at Cascade Locks in the Columbia River Gorge, will be the state's largest at half million square feet and will include nearly 2000 slot machines. "Casinos should be limited to reservation lands and should not be built in the Gorge Scenic area. This may be the first off- reservation casino, but you can bet it won't be the last," said Dan Lavey, coalition spokesperson. The coalition released the findings of a new statewide poll that shows 61% of Oregonians are concerned about the expansion of gambling and casinos; 63% are opposed to the Gorge casino plan; 57% believe Indian casinos should be limited to reservation lands; 71% believe approval of a Gorge casino will lead to more casinos off-reservation lands and 63% believe the Columbia River Gorge Scenic area should be off limits to any large scale developments. The coalition says they expect the Secretary of Interior to sign the initial compact that allows the casino plan to proceed to the next phase of the lengthy federal approval process, but underscore that an approved compact does not equal an approved casino. The final federal government decisions and approvals for the Gorge casino could take at least another 1 to 2 years. http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050519/195846.html?.v=1 |
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