A move by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs to hasten the process of transferring land into trust threatens the ability of the city of Medford to object to plans for a Coquille Indian Tribe casino on South Pacific Highway. The city is right to object to this change. The Coquille tribe has no reservation land in Southern Oregon now, although it claims the region as part of the tribe's historic territory. The tribe is not seeking to establish housing or schools. It wants to open a casino. The Coquille tribe proposes a Class II casino, consisting of gambling machines but no craps, roulette, blackjack or other table games that are features of Class III casinos. No Class II casinos exist in Oregon now. The governor has veto power over any new Class III casinos but not over Class II operations. That makes it even more important that local governments be allowed plenty of time and opportunity to raise objections. The Bureau of Indian Affairs should amend its rule change to give local governments a greater voice when a tribe wants to establish a gambling casino.Get the Story:
Editorial: Rule change is ill-advised (The Medford Mail Tribune 7/21) Federal Register Notice:
Land Acquisitions: Appeals of Land Acquisition Decisions (May 29, 2013)
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