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Show gj2- - February 7, 1QQ5 EcCitoriaC tOirifah Basin Standard Positive Trends in the Basin?? Is it possible that good things are happening here in the Uintah Basin? It appears that way to us. Mediators working with Union High were impressed with the way the community has addressed problems that surfaced with a Native American student walkout last fall. Most people don't acknowledge and act upon differences so quickly and so well, they say. We have strong new businesses developing that are diversifying the economy of the Basin, broadening the job market beyond oil, government and agriculture, lessening our dependencies and bringing in. outside money. Schools and agencies are assisting in training for the shifting marketplace. Ute Tribal leadership listened to the concerns of citizens who wanted to protect their burial grounds. The issue may not be solved, but the project was stopped while negotiations and discussion are ongoing. On the other hand, project development is on the minds of the leaders, and that should mean progress and a measure of independence for the tribe. Those same tribal leaders have worked with community leaders to find a means of reclaiming revenue that originated here--severan- taxes-a- nd ce putting it to good, Legislature has not ruined that effort, it can still do a world of good for this area. The housing market locally remains economstrong, in spite of the roller-coastics that plague us and keep us guessing. A house market that has been slightly inflated seems to be moderating, and that's good for er everyone. Our county has a strong medical facility that is working to keep pace with a radically changing health care setting. People are mostly satisfied with their medical care, and facility officials piake customer satisfaction a top priority. A patient does not have to pay top dollar to get quality care. While their jobs are never easy, city, county and school district officials are working hard to realistically address the issues that influence us the most. No one is hiding from touchy subjects that would be more pleasant to ignore. They seem determined to identify real problems and seek long-tersolutions. We could go on and on. There are other are all positive trends, and the trend-settearound us. There is always something about which to feel distress or concern. But, remarkably, there is also plenty to cheer about, and we think now is a good time to recognize the positive trends. m rs unanimous, but disciplined use. If the State ago, Forest Service needs your input Guest editorial by Al Cotlotzi In the recent round of public meetings, it seems to me that the Forest Service is listening to what you have to say about their proposed High Andes Wilderness Plan (HUWP). But now is not the time to settle back and relax. You can bet the Wilderness Society, etc., will continue to fight for their agenda and believe me you don't want their agenda. At the conclusion of the fall public meetings, the Forest Service received some 70 written responses of which I was one of those. I am sure that they also received verbal comments from many others as well, as visits to die office by some. I spent parts of two days in the Roosevelt and Vernal offices going over maps and asking many questions and offering suggestions. I felt that my time was well spent when I heard and saw what they presented in these last meetings. Not only did I get a better feel for what die Forest Service is attempting to do, but I saw the true colors (agenda) of others surface. Now just because I think the Forest Service is attempting to do a good job, does not mean that I agree with everything they are doing. What they did in this last round was to better define the issues, what will be addressed in the plan, and provide a wider range of alternatives by adding two additional alternatives in response to public input. At this point in time, they have made it very clear that they will not analyze or make decisions on fish stocking and livestock grazing in this plan. You and I may disagree with them on these points, but at least we know what they intend to do. The two new alternatives were important They were developed in response to public input Alternative E was in response to input by the Wilderness Society and other environmentalist groups while Alternative F was developed in response to almost everyone else. At this time, I do not believe the Forest Service is leaning toward any particular alternative, except that they are leaning away from the present condition which is supported by the fact they are proposing a plan. If they felt the present condition was fine, they would not need a plan. The Forest Service has defined the purpose and need for a Wilderness Management Plan. For those of you who missed the last meetings or failed to visit one of their offices, let me quote. "The purpose of this HUM management plan is to define resource, social and managerial conditions to A) maintain a wilderness where ecosys terns are influenced primarily by the forces of nature. And B), as consistent with A) above, provide a diversity of opportunities for public use, enjoyment and understanding of wilderness so a high quality Wilderness resource is preserved for present and future generations." At first glance, alternative E doesn't look too bad. All the warm and fuzzy things seem to be there like solitude, remoteness, secluded, inac building anything. This prqject seems to be Mr. Pikes own agepda, and, as with the Cultural Center, Mr. Pike has never presented a budget or blueprints for this pro- Sincerely, Orrin Hatch United States Senator Sincerely, Aboriginal Uintah Nation Calleen R. Gardner ' . EDITOR'S NOTE: Hie Uintah Basin Standard welcomes and encourages opinions ftomreaders in the farm ofletten to Murray ject Mr. Pike has stated that this prqject was being built from funds which have been generated from the present Ute Petroleum Service Station. However, I have recently been made aware that a requisition responds to the editor. Letter 'may be utilized to express opinions or comments, to highlight outstanding service ofan individual Dear Editor: or organization, or any other worthwhile I am writing this article in purpose. Letter may not be uaed to to several articles which response replace Card of Thanka, or to liat sponhave recently appeared in the Salt or contributors to a sors, participant Lake Tribune and the ' Uintah particular event or ouraoae. LETTERS MUST CONTAIN 400 WORDS OR Basin Standard. I would like to address several issues: LESS, BE TYPED OR WRITTEN 1. THE CULTURAL CENTER: AND INCLUDE NAME, ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER OF The only plans for a cultural center THE AUTHOR. Letter willbe published which have been presented to the unle they contain libeloua or Ute Indian Tribe is a proposal defamatory statements. We reserve the which was made Ity Mr. Ron right to withholds name by requeetifthe Kierstead and his subcontractors nature ofthe letter ie positive, and to edit in Mayr 1994. Jdr.. Kiersteads letters. Letters may be submitted to the proposal was with the understandBtandardofiice at 268 a. 200 E., Roosevelt, ing that theitribe' purchase i his Utah, 84066 by the published dMdit ideas. This proposal is the only one normally Thursdays at 6:00 p.m.). All that the people an aware of, letters become property of the Uintah however, the proposal was not Basin Standard. accepted by the tribe. The site for several articles J 5 subject cessible and out of the way. However, you needed only to attend the Salt Lake meeting to get a better understanding of what the wilderness groups, etc., are really wanting from this plan. It is called Regulations and Restrictions to satisfy their agenda. During the couree of the past several months, I have discussed this proposed plan with almost everyone I have come in contact with and the last thing they want is more Regulations and Restrictions, hi fact that is their greatest fear about having this plan. Evidently some people must have missed the November elections because it was very clear the American people are fed up with and tired of all the Regulations and Restrictions being brought' about by the government (state and federal). Alternative F, on the other hand, offers a greater diversity of opportunities for public use and enjoyment within a high quality wilderness resources while preserving this resource for present and future generations. However, it also demands a greater effort on the part of everyone using the wilderness to be more responsible. Upon entering the wilderness, more respect must be shown for the rights and needs of others. Everyone must do their part to protect and care for this valuable resource. If this is done, there will not be the need for more Regulations and Restrictions. During discussions with Forest Service personnel, I was better able to understand why they feel the need for a wilderness plan. I also felt that they are trying to do a good job with this plan. However, I feel they have failed to get this message across to the public. As a result,' there is a lack of trust by the general public as to the Forest Service's ability to represent their best interests in the development of a wilderness plan. There is too much at stake to assume that the Forest Service will work toward meeting your needs and desires while you show little interest in being involved in the process. As a result of pressures from the Salt Lake meeting by the Wilderness Society; Forest Service repthe fish stockresentatives agreed to with issue the Forest supervisors. This after ing agreeing that fish stocking would not be considered in this plan. Does this leave any question in your mind as to the real agenda of some people and to what extent they will go to place further Regulations and Restrictions on how the wilderness is to be managed? You need to visit or write to the Forest Service in your area and let them know how you feel. Offer to get involved in the process. However, there is another alternative; you can let the Wilderness Society and other environmentalists manage your wilderness for you with their agenda. I promise, you will not be happy with the results. -- . . ' the present Cultural Center (Ser- vice Station) has never been officially set adds for that purpose by the Ute Tribal Council or by the people. Then is no plan, that the people an awan tffthat provides a budget to show when the money Dear Editor: coming from to build this facility. Several mixed-bloomembers is The people, and some members of attended a water meeting at the Tribal Auditorium this morning the council, have never seen the blueprints for this facility. (February 1). Mr. Pike has stated that the Stewart Pike, chairman, asked ua to leave because it was for tribal people an responsible for delays which could affect tribal members members only. But the awful part is we do have who would have employment with a share in the water - also the these prqjects. However, until Mr. Gardner discusses water, other rights d for payment was presented to the tribe for payment to U&W Construction for work already completed on this prqject This payment exhausted the last $20,000 that Ute Petroleum had in their account Where does Mr. Pike propose to get the rest of the funding? Mr. Pike has never presented ANY plans or information to the people regarding this prqject Without these facts and figures, we have only his word that all of these things are going to happen. If he is sosrincere in what he is doing and three other council members are going along with him, how is it that the other two members iff the council were never aware that the prqject existed or have they been privileged to receive information on the Cultural Center of the Service Station. 3. HIRING AND FIRING OF EMPTOyEES: Mr. Pike stated in the Salt Lake Tribune dated February 4, 1995, that he had no involvement in the recent firing iff employees. If that is so, why is it that everyone that has been fired were the people who were involved in taking Mr. Pike to court over the actions the council took regarding his recall petition and all of those who have been hired are people who supported Mr. Pike. These people have been placed into positions without advertising the jobs and without competition. The people filling these positions have been presented to the council by Mr. Pike specifically and in the majority of cases they have been appointed to new positions where there were no funds set up in the budget Again, these positions were presented while two members iff the council were not present at the meeting and had no input into these derisions. ' 4. BOTTOM LINE: The only funds available to Rr. Pike to complete these prqjects is the water Continued on page 3 Pike presents tins information, the people have no way of knowing how many people would be employed there, if they will be new employees or if the present employees will simply be transferred to the new facility. Our spiritual leaden have stated that because of the buffalo that an buried then, that the area when d the people. Mr. Pikes "so called" Cultural A letter from UJS. Senator Orrin Center is to be built, is a sacred Hatch confirms this: site and that nothing should be Ms. Dear Felten I appreciated receiving your disturbed in this area now or earlier letter expressing your concern forever. 2. THE SERVICE STATION: over HJL 429, the Reclamation new site for the proposed The Project Authorization and Adjust- Service Station has likewise not ment Act of 1992. 1 apologize for the been set aside by the council for delay in my response. As you know, the primary component of this omnibus legislation was the Central Utah Prqject Completion Act. I am concerned Second Class postage paid a RooKveh and Ducheme, Utah (USPS about the impact this legislation Published weekly at 261 S. 200 IL, Roosevek, Utah M 066-- 3 109 POSTMASTER: might have on the reserved water Send address changes to the Uintah Bazin Sundial at rights for all segments of the Ute Indian Tribe, including mixed-bloo261 S. 200 E, Roosevek, Utah members. Your letter details some OFFICE HOURS: 1:00 sjh. to 1 dX) 9d)0 am. to 5:00 pqi. Tuesday thru Friday. of these concerns, and I appreciated Monday, pin Phone Az: your comments. DEADLINES: However, the report accompanying H.R. 429 prior to its passage last For aU News, Legal Notice, Classifieds, A Advertizing, the Deadline is Ihinday a 5 pun. PUBLISHER: Cnig Aihby EDITOR: LezleeE. Whiling year included language indicating ADVERTISING: Gnig Ashby OFFICE MANAGER: Tncy Womack that nothing in the bill would "affect, PRODUCTION: modify, affirm, or deny any underlyWriian; Kaifa Cos, Aldan Rachels, Delyse Addley and Cheiyl Mediant. ing rights or privileges of any one Production; Colette Ashby, Jcani Thompson, Bonnie Puriih, Robin Taylor group with regard to another," CORRESPONDENTS: referring to the existing rights and ROO$BVELT - Ties Humston ; ALTAMONT-- ; BLUEBELL - Shata Lee privileges of full blood and mixed Locrtscher HANNA Tracy Roberts LAPOINT- - Marlene McOuie blood groups. The intent of Congress MONTWELL - Noli Nelson MYTON ; TRIDELL - Loma McKee was to make the bill "neutral with a WHTTHROCKES-Virgini- a Fenucon 353- Spencer respect to any disputes and contro4584; DUCHESNE - Orinda Gee versies" between the groups. This means that as the issues related to these groups are resolved in the Subscription Rates: future, tiie reserved rights of both and Send to: In the Uintah Basin altered Clip been not have groups 1 H.R. 429. Basin Uintah of Standard Yr. $16 2 Yr. $26 through passage 268 S. 200 E. Out of the Uintah Basin Achieving this position in the bill was the design ofthe Utah congres1 Yr. $2- 6- 2 Yr. $46 Roosevelt, Utah 84066-310- 9 sional delegation. I hope this information is helpful to you regarding H.R. 429 and its impact on the reserved rights of mixed blood members. Please do not hesitate to contact my office if you have any further questions on this timber, cemetery, hunting and fishing and all other undividable assets. ' The Business Committee has no right to draw up any agreements with the state, county or any other agency concerning our vested rights, including jurisdiction. Especially without the input of - mix-bloo- "Uintah Basin Standard Inc. 646-90- d 84066-310-9 722-414- 0 . . 722-251- 8 454-397- 6; -- 848-541- 7; 247-237- 5; 247-235- 0; 353-454- 4; NEOLA-Zol- -- 353-452- 8; 738-263- 4; f - |