The tri-city area of Washington (Kennewick, Pasco and Richland) may see its first casino and travel center now that the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have taken “major” planning steps.
The Tribes have begun a federal process to transfer land in Pasco to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Currently, it operates three other casinos under the 12 Tribes Colville Casinos brand in Coluee Dam, Omak and Manson, Washington.
The land transfer requested will be processed by the Office of Indian Gaming. Chairman of the Colville, Jarred-Michael Erickson, told the Tri-City Herald that the process will take between three to five years to complete.
The Tribe paid $2.9m for 184 acres north of King City Truck Stop and east of Highway 395 in Pasco. It plans for the casino and travel center to bring economic opportunities to the over 9,000 members enrolled. The Palus, one of the 12 connected Tribes under Colville, will regain use of its traditional territory should this land be transferred.
The surrounding area, now known as eastern Washington state and parts of Canada, is considered by the Colville Tribes to be part of its member Tribes’ original territory, including: Chelan, Chief Joseph Band of Nez Perce, Colville, Eniat, Lakes, Methow, Moses-Columbia, Okanoga, Palus, San Poil and Wenatchi.
The Tribes have also purchased land in other areas of Washington, including Moses Lake, Methow and Wenatchee. According to Erickson, it is also considering a future purchase of Canadian land.
The fee-to-trust process will remove the potential casino property in Pasco from Franklin County tax rolls. This will also exempt it from paying the property taxes that support municipal services required by the property.
Erickson said in a press release, “We’re pleased to announce this important milestone in our efforts to enhance economic development for the Colville Tribes.”
