As Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar began confirmation hearings to become interior secretary, Wu and environmentalists restated their opposition Thursday to the plan of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs for a casino at Cascade Locks. The Interior Department must approve the casino.

Wu says that the casino, hotel, parking lot and highway interchange would spoil the Gorge's natural resources.

A call to a spokesman for the tribe was not immediately returned. Warm Springs tribal leaders have said the casino would boost the tribes' economy and provide opportunities to the state.