The Coquille Tribe's proposed Medford casino project has advanced significantly after receiving support from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) through a final environmental impact statement (FEIS).

The project, which involves converting a former bowling alley into a gaming venue, faces strong opposition from multiple tribes, lawmakers, and Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. Initially rejected under the Trump administration in 2020, the land-in-trust application was revived by Biden's administration in 2021.

The BIA will now initiate a 30-day public comment period before issuing a final record of decision (ROD) on the land trust status.

Opposition centers on accusations of "reservation shopping," with critics arguing that the Medford location, 168 miles from the tribe's Coos Bay base, violates the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act's intent. The Karuk, Cow Creek, Elk Valley, and Tolowa Dee-ni' tribes dispute Coquille's ancestral claims to the area.

Coquille Tribe chair Brenda Meade defends the project, explaining that their 1989 Restoration Act specifically included Jackson County (where Medford is located) as an area where trust land could be established. She argues that federal policies historically caused tribal dispersal across the region.

Cow Creek Umpqua Tribal Chair Carla Keene expressed frustration with Interior Secretary Deb Haaland's handling of opposing tribes' concerns, stating their sovereignty has been treated as "a nuisance" rather than respected.

The project's fate now rests on the upcoming public comment period and final ROD, with opponents concerned about potential approval during the administration's lame-duck session.

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