Review of controversial Gorge casino proposal continues with issuance of Environmental Impact Statement
Congressman David Wu wrote a letter today to the Department of the Interior asking that they extend the comment period on the Environmental Impact Statement. You can read the letter if you click HERE. We urge you to write them as well and will be sending out an action alert about this early next week.
PRESS RELEASE
Review of controversial Gorge casino proposal continues with issuance of Environmental Impact Statement
Secretary Salazar must consider whether to approve Oregon's first off-reservation casino
August 6, 2010 Contacts: Michael Lang, 503.490.3979
For immediate release Kevin Gorman, 503.241.3762, x104
The Bureau of Indian Affairs issued its long-delayed Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Gorge casino in the Columbia
River Gorge National Scenic Area today. The EIS is not a decision, but
rather a review of the environmental consequences of the proposed
casino resort.
"We expected the Environmental Impact Statement more than a year ago,
so the release of the EIS today was anticipated," said Michael Lang,
conservation director for Friends of the Columbia Gorge. "Ultimately,
the decision on the Gorge casino is several months away and requires
approval of the Secretary of Interior Salazar and concurrence by the
Governor."
To date, Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar has not approved an
off-reservation casino in the United States and the Gorge casino
proposal is perhaps the most controversial proposal facing the Interior
Department. With a proposed location in the heart of Columbia River
Gorge National Scenic Area, the casino complex would encompass the
equivalent of 65 Portland city blocks of commercial development. The
casino site would be within one-half mile of a newly created Wilderness
area and fully visible from the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.
At least 59 elected officials oppose the casino, as do Oregon's two
gubernatorial candidates, Democrat John Kitzhaber and Republican Chris
Dudley. Numerous public polls over the last decade have shown statewide
opposition to a Gorge casino at well over 60%.
With the release of the EIS, Friends of the Columbia Gorge is also
calling for a 60-day extension to the 30-day comment period. "The
Bureau of Indian Affairs has had over two years to create this
document," said Michael Lang, "The document is over 1,000 pages long.
The public deserves more than 30 days to digest and comment on the
proposal."
In November 2009, National Geographic Traveler ranked the Columbia
Gorge #6 in the world among iconic destinations, ahead of every
national park in the country. While the Gorge was lauded for "one of
the best land preservation programs in the country," the authors warned
that the highly-ranked places can easily be comprised by reckless
development and commercialization. "When people see a place as a
tourism cash cow," the article stated, "scores tend to slip."
"What's at stake is more than just a casino. What's at stake is the
future of one of our great national treasures," said Kevin Gorman,
executive director of Friends of the Columbia Gorge.
info@gorgefriends.org / 503.241.3762 / 522 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 720, Portland Oregon 97204 /
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