Tribe vs. Kotek showdown on Salem casino plans

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek says she does not support any new casinos in Oregon.  The Siletz Tribe says the law is on their side to build one near Salem off Interstate-5 freeway.

Siletz is trying to build a 180,000-square-feet casino with 2,000 slot machines and 45 table games.

Gaming America reports, “Tribal Chairman Delores Pigsley said the Siletz Tribe still intends to move forward with plans to build a new casino. Both federal and state approval are required for the project to go ahead, and it is still waiting on approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.  Pigsley said in an interview that Kotkek, “can’t disapprove it until we get a decision from the bureau. We legally have the right since we negotiated our compact 20-some years ago. It does not have a sunset clause.”The Tribe’s 1995 compact with Oregon says the Tribe and state may further negotiate the use of Salem land, and the Siletz Tribe’s intention is to build on an off-reservation gaming facility on Tribe-owned land in Salem off Interstate 5.”

We will keep you posted on important developments on this land-use battle.

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