Oregon Study Criticized by Commissioners

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…"

2006-07-14