The U.S. Interior Department's rejection of a deal for a Columbia River Gorge casino comes amid broader national scrutiny of off-reservation tribal gaming.

"There are many members of Congress who are concerned, deeply concerned, about the proliferation of off-reservation Indian gambling casinos," Rep. David Wu, D-Ore., who opposes the gorge plan and off-reservation tribal casinos in general, said in an interview Saturday.

On Friday, the Interior Department rejected an agreement between Gov. Ted Kulongoski and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs to allow a casino in Cascade Locks. It said it will not approve the casino deal unless it first rules that the off-reservation land can be taken into trust for gambling.

It has approved previous compacts and then made the off-reservation ruling, a rigorous process that hinges on whether the casino is in the best interests of the tribes and doesn't harm the surrounding community. But after re-examining tribal gambling law, it reversed the process.

Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., chairman of the House Resources Committee, has committed to bringing to his committee this year a bill that restricts off-reservation casinos.

"I think the Department of Interior has sensed that there is a change in congressional attitude, and for various reasons of its own, I think the Department of Interior is also in the process of shifting its position," said Wu, who wrote a letter to Interior Secretary Gale Norton opposing the Warm Springs plan.

Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., a supporter of the Warm Springs casino plan, said the decision is a procedural shift.

"While this decision comes as a bit of a last minute surprise, it is important to remember that it only changes the order of the process," Walden said in a written statement. "It does not reject the terms of the compact, but requires the tribes to acquire the land before the department will consider the merits of the compact."

Wu said he will continue to oppose the gorge casino plan.

"My concern is that, first and foremost, this would bring 3 million people to the gorge, a million cars, for non-gorge related purposes," Wu said, "and I think that that would be a tragedy for Oregon."