Cowlitz casino has new partner

VANCOUVER, Wash. — A Northern California tribe is the newest partner in an effort to build a casino resort near La Center, Clark County.

David Barnett, a Cowlitz Indian Tribe member who has spearheaded efforts to build the project, has sold an undisclosed portion of his interest to a California tribe.

The new partner is the Paskenta Band of the Nomlaki Indians. It operates the Rolling Hills Casino, part of its 2,000-acre reservation near Corning, Calif., about 100 miles north of Sacramento.

The sale is not expected to affect the Cowlitz Tribe's request for the federal government to take the 152-acre casino site, along the west side of Interstate 5, into trust on the tribe's behalf.

A final environmental-impact statement was issued earlier this year, but the federal government has yet to make a final decision. One likely won't be made until after President-elect Obama takes office Jan. 20.

Barnett, reached in Las Vegas Thursday, wouldn't discuss the issue. "You don't have any information," he said before hanging up.

But John Crosby, director of economic development for the Paskenta Band of the Nomlaki Indians, confirmed Friday that the sale has been completed after months of negotiations.

"We thought it was a great opportunity to diversify," he said. "This is just one of those opportunities that we evaluated, felt good about it, felt it was a good investment."

Crosby said he understands the federal government has made no decision on the Cowlitz Tribe's application.

"There's always risk," he said. "They are going through all the legal processes to get tribal gaming on that land. We believe they will one day, and they have a great market."