Approval unlikely for casino off tribal land

CASCADE LOCKS, Ore. -- The odds seem to be lengthening against a tribal casino in the Columbia Gorge, at least during the tenure of Dirk Kempthorne as interior secretary.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs has been developing the idea of a casino and resort at Cascade Locks since 1998. Their spokesman says they might be able to begin construction within 18 months if Kempthorne would OK an environmental impact statement.

The casino is a 45-minute drive from Portland along Interstate 84, and would replace one on the reservation in Central Oregon.

But Kempthorne opposed off-reservation casinos when he was governor of Idaho and has shown no sign that he will approve the Warm Springs proposal.

Michael Anderson, a Washington, D.C., lobbyist for tribes, noted that in Idaho, Kempthorne stopped a tribe from building a casino 200 miles from its reservation.

The experience "soured him on every gaming proposal," Anderson said. "Sometimes it really comes down to personality."

The project faces opposition in Oregon, as well.

Although Gov. Ted Kulongoski has thrown his support behind it, the Grand Ronde Tribe, which owns Spirit Mountain Casino, ran a $1 million ad campaign against the Warm Springs proposal and is prepared, in its latest budget, to spend nearly $5 million to fight off-reservation casinos.