In what appears to be the first action of its kind, Interior Secretary Gale Norton has appointed an "ombudsman" to oversee a land-into-trust application.
George Skibine, the director of the Office of Indian Gaming Management at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, will serve as the ombudsman for the Cowlitz Tribe's proposal to build a casino on 152 acres. Skibine is normally in charge of land-into-trust for gaming applications.
The request for the ombudsman came from Rep. Brian Baird (D-Washington). He said federal agencies weren't providing enough information about the land-into-trust process. Two public meetings are planned in hopes of clearing up any confusion.
Get the Story:
Ombudsman picked for Cowlitz casino process
(The Oregonian 1/19)
Press Release: Rep. Baird Secures 2 Casino Meetings, Ombudsman for
Southwest Washington Residents (Baird 1/19)
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