Tribe protests casino project denial, May 29

Coquille Tribe release – NORTH BEND, Ore. – Shocked by a “complete disregard for the federally mandated decision process,” Coquille Tribal Chairman Brenda Meade today strongly criticized a Bureau of Indian Affairs abrupt decision to end further consideration of the tribe’s application to take land into trust for a casino project in Medford, Ore. “Instead of a fair and open process,” she said, “this agency has turned to the hidden, back-room dealing that is the hallmark of an overly political process – a process that federal law repeatedly has tried to prevent.” The Coquille Tribal Council will determine the tribe’s next steps. “I can assure you that this decision will not stop us from continuing to move forward with our plans to build businesses on our properties that will contribute to the growth and well-being of the entire community,” Meade said. The decision came in a May 27 letter from John Tahsuda, principal deputy assistant secretary for Indian affairs. Meade said Tahsuda’s arbitrary decision ignores the government’s own established procedures that are designed to guarantee gaming decisions based on facts rather than politics. “By ending the normal, fact-based process for making trust land decisions, Tahsuda has silenced the many people in the community who are supporting our efforts,” she said. “He also is denying our local officials the opportunity to express their growing appreciation for the tribe’s work in the community and their interest in pursuing economic development on this property. They all were promised that their voices would be heard every step of the way.” The decision process normally would include local public comment and consideration of an in-depth Environmental Impact Statement. The tribe has pursued an EIS approval since 2012, facing repeated delays by federal officials and political opposition from the competition-wary Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians. The project, known as The Cedars at Bear Creek, would be a Class II casino on 2.42 acres of south Medford commercial property. Class II gaming involves video gaming devices, but no table games such as blackjack or dice. The casino site is surrounded by several tribal parcels that the tribe hopes to develop for other commercial uses.