At a Hood River public meeting last night, Mayor Linda Streich says a Gorge casino would be "a mistake of catastrophic consequences"

Portland -- At the last of five public meetings regarding the proposed off-reservation casino in the Columbia Gorge, the Mayor of Hood River, Linda Streich, spoke-out strongly against the proposed Cascade Locks casino. The local government leader said:

"I believe siting a casino in the Gorge would not only be a mistake, but it would be a mistake of catastrophic consequences affecting the livability and quality of life in our region for all time."

A video of her remarks at the public meeting is available at www.kgw.com/video/video-index.html?nvid=227965&shu=1.

Opposition to a Gorge casino from the Hood River Mayor is significant because of its proximity to neighboring Cascade Locks, where the casino is being proposed. In addition, some Hood River leaders have supported the Cascade Locks casino location under the empty-threat from the Warm Springs tribe that they will pursue a Hood River casino if the Cascade Locks location is not approved by the federal government.

A 2006 land use and engineering report, however, reveals that the Hood River casino location isn't feasible and is more mirage than reality.

The report states, "...a Hood River site is not a permittable, practicable or potentially legal site for the Warm Springs Tribes proposed casino."

"We do not believe there is a feasible or practical scenario for locating a casino at the proposed Hood River site," said Grant Bailey, a Senior Consultant with Golder Associates who prepared the 2006 report.

"The threat of a casino near Hood River is an empty threat and cannot be used to justify a casino resort in Cascade Locks. This report proves that a Hood River casino is impossible from an environmental, engineering, political and legal standpoint," said Coalition member Michael Lang, with Friends of the Columbia Gorge.

The report, paid for by the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, was conducted by Golder Associates, a global environmental and engineering services firm, and Otak, Inc., a Portland planning, design, and engineering firm. The analysis focused on engineering feasibility, land use, site development costs, agency approvals and other related issues.