Political Context
The Siletz tribe advocated for an off-reservation casino in Troutdale as early as 1992, drawing opposition from then-governor Barbara Roberts.
As early as 1998, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs owned property in Hood River, and were entertaining controversial plans to open a casino there or in Cascade Locks. Then-governor John Kitzhaber opposed the plans, on two principles: that each tribe should have only one casino, and that tribal casinos should be on tribal trust land established before the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. Federal law gave Kitzhaber the power to deny the tribe the Cascade Locks location, because it had not been held in trust prior to the 1988 law. He had no such power over the Hood River site or other land the tribes had held for a longer period of time.
Kitzhaber ultimately overruled the Cascade Locks location, but the issue overshadowed the 2002 gubernatorial election of Ted Kulongoski. The tribes made record political contributions during that election. Kulongoski, who took no position on the issue during the election, received $40,000 for his campaign from Indian tribes.
In 2001, the Confederated Tribes purchased an additional 120 acres (0.49 km2) of land east of the city of Hood River, adjoining 40 acres (160,000 m2) it already owned. The Confederated Tribes then pursued two separate plans for casinos in the gorge until 2004: one in Cascade Locks, the other on the Hood River property. The Hood River plan, which would have called for an eight-story casino, was opposed by Hood River residents. Hood River County Commissioner Carol York was also a strong advocate of the Cascade Locks location, rather than the Hood River location.
The project has the support of Oregon Congressman Greg Walden (R), who represents this area in Congress. Also publicly supporting the project is Oregon Senator Ted Ferrioli (R) and former Oregon Governors Vic Atiyeh (R) and Ted Kulongoski (D).
Opposition to a casino in Cascade Locks has been led by the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, and has included other organizations: the Oregon Restaurant Association, Friends of Columbia Gorge, NoGorgeCasino, a small but vocal group of residents and the Oregon Family Council. Congressman David Wu has also opposed the casino. The Grand Ronde group was the biggest campaign spender in the 2006 gubernatorial primary election, opposing Kulongoski and Kevin Mannix. Grand Ronde, which operates Spirit Mountain Casino, spent over $800,000 in that cycle.
The United States Secretary of the Interior will have to approve a casino if it is to move forward. Current Secretary Dirk Kempthorne has generally opposed off-reservation casinos, but is unlikely to make the decision; instead, his successor after the George W. Bush administration leaves office is expected to consider the proposed casino, along with an off-reservation casino in La Center, Washington being proposed by the Cowlitz Tribe. In January 2011 the Interior Department approved a compact between the tribes and the state. The remaining steps include the demonstration of compliance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and approval from the Governor.
Read more about this topic: Proposed Columbia Gorge Casino
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