Biden administration could make controversial ruling on Coquille Indian Tribe casino this week

Article by : Charles Perrin Nov 21, 2023

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The Biden administration appears to be on the brink of signing off on a proposal to grant the Coquille Indian Tribe a second land-based casino establishment.

Plans to build a second casino more than 150 miles from its territory in Medford, Oregon, are currently under consideration by the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

More pertinently, an EIS (environmental impact statement) could be delivered this week that will push the Coquille Tribe one step closer to realizing its dream.

However, since the BIA issued its initial EIS draft a year ago, it has elicited a multitude of furious responses, with many tribes vehemently opposed to the project.

But the Coquille Tribe’s proposal, which is known as the Cedars at Bear Creek, has rumbled for well over a decade. Indeed, the Obama administration introduced a policy that at the time, was designed to ease up on gaming and trust-land acquisitions.

The debate has since resurfaced, and several tribes have teamed up to coordinate a response, urging the federal government to rebuff the plan.

Perhaps the resounding fear expressed by many neighboring tribes is the impact it will have on their “sovereign rights”. And this was echoed by Cow Creek Chair Carla Keene during a BIA-hosted public hearing last year.

She said: “I want to emphasize the profound impact Coquille’s second casino would have on my Tribe and my people.

“It will impact essential governmental services that the Tribe provides. It will impact our education program. It will impact our ability to provide healthcare and social services that many of our members rely upon.”

Not only that but it is thought that if the Coquille Tribe’s proposal is successful, then it could pave the way for the tribe to open more casinos.

While the Coquille Tribe has put itself on a new collision course with Californian tribes, the White House is holding a tribal nations summit that will thrash out any unresolved tensions and issues.

The Coquille Tribe, which currently owns Mill Casino, has had its fair share of financial problems. Should the proposed casino be approved, the tribe intends to redirect revenue to fund existing tribal programs and pump money into new initiatives.

Although there are some hurdles to be cleared, this is a saga that could run for some time yet.