The Clark County council delayed voting on a resolution that would lay the foundation for improved relationships with the Cowlitz Tribe over its plans to build a $510 million casino outside of La Center.
The council appeared poised Tuesday to approve a resolution opening the door for conversations with the tribe with the aim of “furthering the public health and welfare of Clark County citizens.” The decision would have followed the Vancouver City Council’s approval Monday of a resolution rescinding its 2007 stance opposing the casino, which is under construction west of Interstate 5 at Exit 16.
But Steve Horenstein, a land-use attorney who spoke on behalf of the tribe, said tribal leaders objected to some of the language in the resolution, which reaffirmed the county’s opposition to the entire project. The council unanimously voted to revisit the matter next week.
The county, along with operators of La Center’s cardrooms and a group called Citizens Against Reservation Shopping, challenged the U.S. Department of the Interior’s approval of the Cowlitz Indian Reservation. When the plaintiffs lost that suit in U.S. District Court, they appealed to the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals. Oral arguments in the appeal were heard March 18, and a ruling is expected in midsummer.
