Cascade Locks Casino Compact Gains Approval by U.S. Department of the Interior

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Compact negotiated between the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs and the State of Oregon, relating to the operation of the Bridge of the Gods Casino at Cascade Locks has been deemed approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

"This is a major hurdle for our project to clear and is long-awaited good news for the tribal families who hope that our casino and resort project at Cascade Locks will bring a measure of economic relief from our impoverished conditions," said Jody Calica, the Secretary Treasurer of the Warm Springs Tribe.

The Cascade Locks Compact locks in place significant Tribal commitments in the form of benefits to Oregon and the Tribe from the Casino project, including: 1700 jobs, $850 million set aside for scholarships to Oregon students attending Oregon colleges/universities and numerous environmental protections such as "green building" standards and $50 million for projects to protect/enhance Columbia Gorge habitat.

Now that the Warm Springs Tribe has an approved Casino Compact and a positive Final Environmental Impact Statement published in the federal register, what remains is for the Interior Department to notify the Governor that the proposed project meets the "Two-Part determination" test of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act [namely, that the project is good for the Tribe and its members and does not harm neighboring communities]. Once the Governor concurs in this determination, the Cascade Locks land can be taken into trust for the purposes of Indian Gaming, and the construction of the Bridge of the Gods Casino and Resort can begin.

SOURCE Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs

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