Oregon Public Broadcasting

Opponents of a proposed casino in the Columbia Gorge pressed their case Thursday to the likely new head of the Interior Department.

The Warm Springs tribe is waiting for a final environmental impact statement on its casino proposal.

Opponents say that Interior Secretary-desgnate Ken Salazar doesn’t have much of a record on off-reservation casinos from his time as a Colorado Senator. But Oregon Congressman David Wu says something Salazar said in his confirmation hearing led Wu to believe his fellow Democrat supported scenic areas, and might be tough on the casino.

David Wu: “He wants to take on a new agenda as he deals with America’s First People that includes economic development within the reservation - I think that point is particularly important because of the issues here: the distance involved from the Warm Springs’ reservation, and whether the economic benefits will be attenuated.”

Opponents say Salazar could use two criteria to deny the application. One is that the commuting distance to the off-reservation site is too far for tribal members to go for work. And second, that there's ample space on the Warm Springs reservation for another casino there.