2024-19223. Indian Gaming; Approval of the Fifth Amendment to the Tribal-State Class III Gaming Compact Amendment Between Cowlitz Indian Tribe and the State of Washington

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Department of the Interior

Bureau of Indian Affairs

1. [245A2100DD/AAKC001030/A0A501010.999900]

AGENCY:

Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

This notice publishes the approval by operation of law the Fifth Amendment to the Tribal State Compact for Class III Gaming between the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and the State of Washington governing the operation ( print page 68639) and regulation of class III gaming activities.

DATES:

The Amendment takes effect on August 27, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Paula L. Hart, Director, Office of Indian Gaming, Office of the Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs, Washington, DC 20240, [e-mail]; [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, 25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq., (IGRA) provides the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) with 45 days to review and approve or disapprove the Tribal-State compact governing the conduct of Class III gaming activity on the Tribe's Indian lands. See25 U.S.C. 2710(d)(8). If the Secretary does not approve or disapprove a Tribal-State compact within the 45 days, IGRA provides the Tribal-State compact is considered to have been approved by the Secretary, but only to the extent the compact is consistent with IGRA. See25 U.S.C. 2710(d)(8)(D). The IGRA also requires the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register notice of the approved Tribal-State compacts for the purpose of engaging in Class III gaming activities on Indian lands. See25 U.S.C. 2710(d)(8)(D). The Department's regulations at 25 CFR 293.4 require all compacts and amendments to be reviewed and approved by the Secretary prior to taking effect. The Secretary took no action on the Fifth Amendment to the Compact between the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and the State of Washington, within the 45-day statutory review period. Therefore, the Compact is considered to have been approved, but only to the extent it is consistent with IGRA. See25 U.S.C. 2710(d)(8)(C).

Bryan Newland,

Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs.