MEDFORD, Ore. — A casino in Medford is one step closer to becoming a reality, with the U.S. Department of Interior moving the Coquille Tribe’s application forward.
The plans for a gaming facility have drawn up controversy over the years, with multiple tribes in Southern Oregon and Northern California speaking out against the Coquille Tribe’s plans to build a casino in Medford.
Over the years, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians has told NewsWatch 12 the addition of a casino in Medford would cause economic harm to other tribes.
“Using the numbers that are in the Coquille DEIS, our tribe would be impacted by about 25%,” Michael Rondeau, CEO at the Cow Creek Tribe, told NewsWatch 12 a year ago.
Meanwhile, the Coquille Tribe has told NewsWatch 12 a new casino would positively impact the City of Medford.
“It’s a piece of the whole pie that supports economic development that provides for the membership of the Coquille Tribe,” said Judy Farm, the Tribal One CEO at the Coquille Tribe, told NewsWatch 12 a year ago.
NewsWatch 12 reached out to several tribes today and is waiting for recent comment.
Today marks the start of a 30-day public comment period. If you’re submitting comments by mail, send them to Bryan Mercier Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Northwest Region 911 NE 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97232. Make sure to include your name, return address and “FEIS comments, Coquille Indian Tribe Fee-to-Trust and Casino Project” on the first page.
You can also send comments via email at tobiah.mogavero@bia.gov. Use “FEIS Comments, Coquille Indian Tribe Fee-to-Trust and Casino Project” as the subject line.
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