"The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs have dealt Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski a hand they hope he can't refuse. But the idea to plant a 500,000-square-foot building in Cascade Locks is not all aces.

Cascade Locks is within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area an area set aside for its unique aesthetic wonder, meant to be protected as a natural resource. It is also the preferred site of the tribes for a casino.

The trouble for the tribes and others pushing the site, including various Cascade Locks leaders is that the site is not reservation land. That means the tribes need permission from Oregon's governor to move ahead."

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Opinion - In Our View: Tribes' Bet Is In (The Columbian 4/29)