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Washington, DC -- Today Congressman David Wu joined the U.S. House Committee on Resources as a guest member to once again share his deep concerns on the proposed development of a gambling casino complex in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge.
"I come to this committee today to defend the crown jewel of Oregon and to work with you in developing legislation that will protect the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and the long-term interests of all tribes," stated Congressman Wu.
Just two weeks ago, Congressman Wu also joined a Senate committee hearing as a guest member. On that day Congressman Wu questioned George Skibine, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs for the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Congressman Wu asked if on-reservation alternatives would be explored in the scope of the environmental impact statement for the proposed development of a gambling casino complex in the Columbia River Gorge. Congressman Wu is concerned the Warm Springs Tribe's needs statement was manipulated to exclude certain alternatives.
In response, Mr. Skibine assured Congressman Wu that the U.S. Department of the Interior would look into the issue he was raising.
However, the day after the Senate hearing, a regional office of the Interior Department released the scoping report in which alternative sites were eliminated from detailed analysis. Congressman Wu sent a letter to Mr. Skibine explaining the scoping report was in direct conflict with the commitment made during the Senate hearing.
During today's hearing, Mr. Skibine reaffirmed his commitment to Congressman Wu and stated for the record that it is the Interior Department's "job to look into Congressman Wu's questions." Mr. Skibine also stated that if the Interior Department finds the process was flawed, the department will have to see for what reason on-reservation alternatives were excluded from the scoping report.
James Cason, Associate Deputy Secretary for the Interior Department followed Mr. Skibine's remarks by adding that "a reasonable set of alternatives is needed for applications to pass the test at the end of the process" and the department "strives for more alternatives, not less."
Congressman Wu expects to receive a formal response to his March 3 letter from Mr. Skibine in the coming weeks.
BACKGROUND: The Senate and House hearings have focused specifically on section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act which governs the two-part determination procedures for gaming on newly acquired lands. The law requires the tribe to gain the consent of the respective governor as well as the United States Secretary of the Interior. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Representative Richard Pombo (R-CA) have introduced legislation to amend section 20 and limit off-reservation gaming.
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