Oregon: Federal judge rejects effort to halt Coquille Tribe’s Medford casino construction

A federal judge has rejected a lawsuit aimed at blocking the construction of a tribal-owned casino in Medford, Oregon, paving the way for the Coquille Tribe’s plans to move forward.

The lawsuit, filed last month by the Cow Creek Tribe, Karuk Tribe, and Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation, sought to block the casino project on the grounds that the Coquille Tribe's plans were unconstitutional due to a lack of consultation with the impacted tribes. The suit named the U.S. Department of the Interior and several members of the Biden Administration as defendants.

The opposing tribes argue that the development of the Medford casino would cause irreparable harm to their economic, environmental, cultural, and historical well-being. They claim that the decision to approve the casino without consulting the affected tribes violated their rights.

In response to the judge’s decision, Carla Keene, Chairman of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, said that the ruling was merely a procedural step in an ongoing administrative process. "This decision is not the final word. We will continue to fight for what is fair and just for all Tribes, not just one Tribe," Keene said.

The ruling has significant implications for the future of the Medford casino and its potential to reshape the economic landscape of the region. While the legal battle continues, the Coquille Tribe remains poised to proceed with its development plans, at least for the time being.