Monday, July 17, 2006

As reported by the Oregonian: "A draft environmental study for the proposed
Cowlitz Tribe casino and resort near La Center came under fire Wednesday
from Clark County commissioners. "County officials are racing to get their
comments in to the Bureau of Indian Affairs office in Portland by a Friday
deadline. "Clark County is critical of the casino study on 63 specific
points ranging from understating traffic impacts to adequacy of public water
supplies, from where the casino will find nearly 3,000 workers with gaming
experience to saying sales tax won't be collected. The county also said the
study excludes impacts to most of the nearby urban areas. "The $2 million
study was done by a Sacramento consulting firm selected by the Bureau of
Indian Affairs. The Cowlitz Tribe must pick up the costs. ".'This draft EIS
(environmental impact statement) unfortunately does not adequately describe
the alternatives (to a full casino-resort) or their impacts,' says a cover
letter prepared by county planners for Commission Chairman Marc Boldt. ".The
environmental study offers six alternatives, developed after talks with the
tribe, that range from the large casino-resort concept to an business park."