More than 1,000 people attended the Interior Department's first meeting on Wednesay for the Cowlitz Tribe's land-into-trust for gaming application. A second meeting on Thursday drew an equally large crowd.

The tribe is seeking to engage in gaming on an initial reservation in Clark County, Washington. As a newly recognized tribe, it qualifies for an exception under the Indian Gaming Regulatory, which imposes a ban on gaming on lands acquired after 1988.

Jim Cason, the associate deputy Interior secretary, said he will personally make the decision on the application. It will be at least 12 to 18 months before that happens.

"We are nowhere close to a decision," Cason said at the Thursday meeting, according to The Oregonian.

According to The Columbian, the tribe's supporters appeared to outnumber opponents at the Wednesday meeting. Foes say the tribe has no connection to the land it is seeking, and that the casino will harm the community.

Get the Story:
Encore discussion of casino at La Center draws big crowd (The Oregonian 2/17)
Casino verdict a long way off (The Columbian 2/17)
Casino event draws 1,000 (The Columbian 2/16)
Meeting on casino application turns into rally by foes, backers (The Oregonian 2/16)