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Gorge casino faces longer odds
In a letter to Warm Springs Chairman Ron
Suppah, a high-ranking U.S.
Interior Department official essentially
has asked the tribes to rethink their proposal. "Please be advised that we share the concerns that many have expressed with off-reservation gaming and so-called 'reservation shopping,' " wrote James Cason, associate deputy Interior secretary. "We urge you to become fully aware of the changing environment and to discuss the risks of pursuing an off-reservation gaming application," Cason continued. INSIDE THE CAPITOL Casino in Gorge faces longer odds Friday, May 04, 2007 HARRY ESTEVE The Oregonian SALEM -- Two years have slipped by since Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed a contract with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to build an off-reservation casino at Cascade Locks. It was a landmark deal, marked by cheers from locals and a promise by the tribes to give the state a cut of the profits for schools. It also provoked an intense political dispute, with some saying a casino would mar the Columbia River Gorge and other tribes complaining it would give Warm Springs an unfair competitive edge. But the casino, which requires federal approval to proceed, appears no closer to being built. In fact, its chances might have dimmed considerably. In a letter to Warm Springs Chairman Ron Suppah, a high-ranking U.S. Interior Department official essentially has asked the tribes to rethink their proposal. "Please be advised that we share the concerns that many have expressed with off-reservation gaming and so-called 'reservation shopping,' " wrote James Cason, associate deputy Interior secretary. Federal law allows tribes that meet certain criteria to build casinos away from their historic reservations. But Congress is looking at changing that law, Cason's letter said. And, he wrote, the Interior Department is working on rule changes that would make it even more difficult for tribes to go off-reservation to build gambling halls. "We urge you to become fully aware of the changing environment and to discuss the risks of pursuing an off-reservation gaming application," Cason continued. "In addition, we urge you to consider fully the relative risks, costs and benefits of pursuing an alternative on-reservation" casino. The letter, dated Feb. 18, was not made public. The Oregonian obtained a copy this week. Cason has since moved on to other duties in the department. Acting deputy assistant Interior Secretary George Skibine said the letter reflects the views of Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne. "It's sort of a signal that Jim Cason sent, saying, look, this is going to be difficult for the secretary to approve and you should know that," Skibine said. Suppah and other Warm Springs officials associated with the casino proposal could not be reached for comment. But Len Bergstein, a lobbyist for the tribes, said he doesn't think the letter changes anything. "I don't think the secretary will say 'No off-reservation casinos whatsoever,' " Bergstein said. He blamed competing interests, especially the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, for the stalled proposal. "They're hoping delays will kill the project," Bergstein said. The next step is for the tribe to complete an environmental impact statement. That was supposed to have been done months ago, but it, too, has been hung up -- primarily because of transportation concerns. Justin Martin, lobbyist for the Grand Ronde, says Cason's letter echoes what his tribe has been saying all along: It makes more sense for the Warm Springs to build a new casino on reservation land. It could have been up and running by now, Martin said, bringing in badly needed revenue for the tribe. "Who's making money now? Is it the Warm Springs people? No. It's the engineers, the lawyers, the lobbyists." Kulongoski said he talked to Kempthorne recently about the proposal and got a response similar to the one outlined in the letter. Nonetheless, Kulongoski supports the tribe's decision to keep pressing for a casino at Cascade Locks. He said he approved the proposal because it would boost the local economy as well as help the Warm Springs. And it would have given the state more money to spend on schools. "I thought," Kulongoski said, "I was doing something good." Harry Esteve: 503-221-8226; harryesteve@news.oregonian.com Also read Esteve's Inside the Capitol blog at www.oregonlive.com/legislature. http://www.oregonlive.com/elections/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1178243746220890.xml&coll=7 |
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