The Eastern Shoshone Tribe and the Northern Arapaho Tribe. are seeking treatment as state status from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The tribes filed their Clean Air Act application five years ago, the Associated Press reported. But state officials have raised objections and the tribes have yet to receive an answer.

"Our review of the tribes' application began in 2008 and has included a public process, comments and discussions with several parties, including extensive contact with the tribes and representatives from federal, state and local governments," a spokesperson for the EPA told the AP.

Congress amended the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act to recognize tribal authority. States have fought tribal designations in court but their challenges have been rejected.

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Northern Arapaho say feds blocked air regulations (AP 11/21)