It seems like the state of Oregon is about to have a new casino established in the foreseeable future as the proposal of the Coquille Indian Tribe got the nod for founding a casino venue, located in Medford.
As soon as an approval was received, the Bureau of Indian Affairs started making plans and preparations for the upcoming environmental review.
In order to get the green light for building a casino in Medford, tribe’s officials need to provide convincing evidence to the members of the Medford City Council and assure them that the project will not affect the region and the residents in particular, in a negative manner.
What Medford authorities need to know is whether the construction of the casino will cause environmental or traffic issues. In addition, they have to make sure that the vulnerable part of the population is protected from the negative impact a conveniently located casino might have on them.
Daniel Bunn, a Council of Medford, said that they “want to make sure we’re looking pretty broadly at what the impacts are for the community”.
According to the existing rules and regulations, the Oregon-based tribes are legally allowed to establish casinos where predominantly table games are available.
In other words, tribes are permitted to open casinos that correspond to Class III but how, the tribe requested an establishment of a Class II casino where video gambling opportunities are to be provided. It will spread over 2.4 acres and as already mentioned, the south part of Medford was the location chosen.
However, the proposal met the opposition of the Governor of Oregon and the executives of the Seven Feathers Casino who consider the establishment of another casino in such a close proximity to be a threat for their revenues.
As a matter of fact, the bone of contention were Coquille tribe’s claims that the land where Medford is located used to be a part of their historical lands.
Susan Ferris, a representative of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, hurried up to remind that tribal casinos have to be built on land that was inherited. She also said that the most sensible decision Oregon authorities can take is prohibiting the further development of the project.
According to information released by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, all issues the future casino would bring about are to be reviewed by Oregon officials. During the review, they will pay close attention to the environmental, traffic, safety aspects, public services, growth-inducing effects, quality of air, noise and pollution levels, etc.
