The Cowlitz casino syndicate's Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) appears to have suffered a major setback thanks to a decision reached May 14 by a Washington State Growth Management Hearings Board.  

The Growth Board removed the proposed casino site, 152 acres west of I-5, near La Center, from Clark County's urban growth plan and returned its zoning status to "agricultural." The Final EIS for the casino relies heavily on the urban development zone that the county had attempted to establish.  

Under agricultural zoning, the county is not able to provide the utilities, services such as police and fire, and infrastructure including roads, at the level the proposed casino-resort would require. The county's Comprehensive Plan prohibits extending such services to rural areas at urban levels.

According to a letter written to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) by attorneys for the La Center card rooms, the Growth Board's decision made the FEIS out-of-date even before it was released for public comment May 30th. 

The card room attorneys called on BIA to withdraw the FEIS "for extensive revision and republication."