Posted: January 4, 2025, 10:01 am.
Last updated: January 4, 2025, 10:01 am.
A coalition of tribal operators from Oregon and Northern California have failed to obtain a temporary restraining order against the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), which was aimed at blocking final approval of a controversial tribal casino.
Last month DOI approved a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Coquille Indian Tribe's proposed casino for the city of Medford, Ore.
The move means the DOI is one step away from placing the land earmarked for casinos into a federal trust so it can be used for gaming, known as a final record of decision (ROD).
The Coquille Tribe claims ancestral ties to the Medford area, despite it being 168 miles and a three-hour drive from their base in Coos Bay. Opposing tribes argue that Coquille's claim is false.
The project has also been opposed by Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and the U.S. Congressmen from both Oregon and California.
'Exceeding authority'
The Umpqua Tribe of Indians, the Karuk Tribe and the Cow Creek Band of Tolowa De-ni' Nation sued DOI in a federal court in Washington, DC, on December 23. In the lawsuit, the tribes argue that the department violated its authority under the U.S. Constitution when it issued the FEIS.
That's because the approval was dependent on “invalid” federal regulations provided by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), which lacks the statutory authority to issue regulations for other agencies, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit also claims that Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who is named as a defendant, failed to properly consult with rival tribes on the local impact of the casino. They argue that a temporary injunction on the final decision would allow such consultation.
The tribes sought an injunction that would put a stay on the FEIS and prevent DOI from issuing RODs until the validity of the FEIS is determined by the courts.
no cause for action
But on Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge Amit P. Mehta rejected the motion. They determined that the FEIS is not a final agency action because it is reviewable, and therefore it is not a matter for the courts because the plaintiff does not have a cause of action.
Tribes will have to await DOI's final decision and challenge it if it is adverse. This decision can be issued on Monday. Typically, the ROD confirms the FEIS, although not always.
In a statement last week, Judy Farms, chief executive officer of Tribal One, the Coquille Tribe's economic development arm, claimed the lawsuit was “about competition.”
“So, this is another move by Cow Creek to not compete in the market. They had over 12 years to comment, and they did not take full advantage of the 12 years it took to permit this project,” Farm said.
Get up to:
115,000 INR +
500 FS for the 4 first deposits
New players only. Welcome Bonus: Get up to 115 000 INR + 500 FS for the first four deposits. In addition to the welcome bonus, Lopebet also offers a variety of other bonuses and promotions for Indian players. These include weekly reload bonuses, casino bonuses, and sports betting bonuses. You can find more information about all of Lopebet's bonuses and promotions on their website.
Get up to:
400% Bonus
Up to first ₹50,000
* New customers only.
New players only. Welcome Bonus: Always Regal also offers a 150% bonus up to ₹30,000 for live casino games. This bonus is subject to the same wagering requirement as the slot machine bonus./p>
Get up to:
200% Bonus
Up to first ₹10,000
* New customers only.
New players only. Welcome Bonus: Davegas also offers a 200% bonus up to ₹10,000 for live casino games. This bonus is subject to the same wagering requirement as the slot machine bonus.
Get up to:
200% Bonus
Up to first ₹100,000
* New customers only.
New players only. Welcome Bonus: The 200% bonus is credited immediately upon deposit. Bonus funds must be wagered 35x before any withdrawals. Maximum bonus amount is ₹100,000.
Get up to:
360% Bonus upto ₹16,000
welcome bonus of up to 360% on their first four deposits, up to ₹16,000.
New players only. Indian players can claim a welcome bonus of up to 360% on their first four deposits, up to ₹16,000!
Get up to:
100% bonus up to ₹40,000
You can claim a 100% bonus up to ₹40,000 on your first deposit, plus 200 wager-free free spins on the popular slot game Book of Dead.
New players only. Welcome Bonus - Luckydreams Casino is offering a generous welcome bonus to new players from India. You can claim a 100% bonus up to ₹40,000 on your first deposit, plus 200 wager-free free spins on the popular slot game Book of Dead.
Get up to:
100% Bonus
Up to first ₹50,000
* New customers only.
New players only. Welcome Bonus: bigboost also offers a 50% bonus up to ₹25,000 on 2nd deposit. This bonus is subject to the same wagering requirement as the slot machine bonus.
Bonus up to:
₹10,000
Welcome Package
* New customers only. can get a 100% match bonus up to ₹10,000 on their first deposit.
New players only. Welcome Bonus - 100% bonus on your first deposit up to ₹10000. IQ Pari offers a variety of bonuses and promotions to its Indian customers. These bonuses can help you boost your bankroll and increase your chances of winning. However, it is important to read the terms and conditions carefully before claiming any bonus.
Get up to:
100% Bonus
on the first deposit
up to 20,000 INR
* New customers only.
New players only. Register with Megapari and receive a 100% bonus to the maximum amount of 20,000 INR on the first deposit!
Bonus up to:
₹25000
Welcome Package
* 125% match bonus up to ₹25,000 on your first deposit.
New players only. Welcome Bonus: 125% match bonus up to ₹25,000 on your first deposit, if you deposit within the first hour of registering. 250 free spins on the slot game Starburst, if you deposit Rs. 15 or more within the first hour of registering
