New judge takes control of lawsuit against Cowlitz Tribe casino

Tuesday, March 12, 2013  

A new judge has been assigned to the lawsuit that seeks to stop the Cowlitz Tribe from opening a casino in Washington.

Judge Barbara J. Rothstein heard from the parties on March 7 in Washington, D.C. One report said she denied a motion to throw out the record of decision that the Bureau of Indian Affairs issued in support of the Cowlitz Casino Resort,

However, The Battle Ground Reflector said Rothstein is reconsidering the motion. That was news to Chairman Bill Iyall, who was at the hearing last week.

“She said in her order yesterday (March 7) that she was denying the motion,’’ Iyall told the paper. “She didn’t say anything about reconsidering it.’’

Clark County in Washington and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in Oregon are suing to block the Cowlitz casino. Among other claims, they say the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar prevents the BIA from placing land in trust for tribes that weren't "under federal jurisdiction" in 1934.

The Cowlitz didn't gain federal recognition until 2000.

Get the Story:
Judge issues ruling on Cowlitz Casino case, then reconsiders (The Battle Ground Reflector 3/12)

Judge hears dispute over Cowlitz Tribe's long delayed casino (3/8)