he Cowlitz Tribe is a landless tribe that has requested that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) take land into trust for the Tribe’s benefit. If the Tribe successfully completes the fee-to-trust process, the Tribe will have established a reservation and land base that will be used for tribal government, cultural and housing purposes, as well as creating economic opportunities that will provide benefits for Tribal Members and the surrounding communities.

Environmental Impact Statement

The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s Trust Acquisition and Casino Resort Project was released on May 30, 2008. Sometime later this year, BIA is expected to issue a decision on the Tribe’s request that approximately 152 acres of land near La Center be taken into trust and proclaimed the Tribe’s reservation, to be used for tribal government offices, elder housing and a cultural center, as well as for gaming and a resort.

In 2004, the Cowlitz Tribe asked BIA to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project. The EIS — which included an extensive public involvement process — examines various issues such as land, water, biological, and cultural resources; air quality; socioeconomic conditions; traffic and transportation; land use; public utilities and services; noise; lighting; hazardous materials; environmental justice; and visual resources/aesthetics. As the lead agency, BIA retained an independent third-party contractor to prepare the EIS.

In December 2004, BIA held a scoping meeting to identify issues to be studied as part of the EIS. The meeting allowed for public participation in scoping for the EIS by soliciting comments on the significant environmental issues and alternatives to be analyzed. Scoping is used to develop a plan for the EIS.

That plan — called a Scoping Report — was released by BIA in February 2005. The Scoping Report describes the proposed action, alternative actions, and environmental issues to be explored in the EIS, identifies which governmental agencies will participate as cooperating agencies, and provides a tentative schedule for the EIS.

On April 14, 2006, BIA released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for public review, initiating a 90-day public comment period. BIA subsequently extended the comment period for another 45 days, until August 25, 2006. In addition, two public hearings on the DEIS were held on June 14 and 15, 2006, in the Skyview High School auditorium.

Process for Completion
of Trust Decision

The Final EIS was released on May 30, 2008, and responds to all substantive comments received on the DEIS. After a mandatory 30-day waiting period, which BIA recently extended through August 12, 2008, the Final EIS and other parts of a proposed decision package will be forwarded to Washington, D.C. for consideration.  The final decision on the Tribe’s fee-to-trust application will be made by the Assistant Secretary — Indian Affairs.

Working with Communities

The Tribe has had active discussions with the cities of Vancouver, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, La Center, Woodland, and Clark and Cowlitz counties. Most recently, we have renewed our offer to enter into an MOU with the City of La Center that would benefit both the citizens of La Center and members of the Tribe.
We are working to form strategic relationships with all these communities; when people come to our casino resort, we will refer them to other parts of the community and enhance the tourism experience for people visiting and people doing business in the local region. We've also been meeting with Chambers of Commerce, visitor and convention bureaus, and service providers such as schools and fire, water and sewer providers.

We look forward to working with our neighbors and community to develop mutually beneficial partnerships.