Osage Nation environmental bill draws complaints

Wednesday, May 30, 2007  

A bill introduced in the Osage Nation Congress has alarmed farmers and ranchers who say the Oklahoma tribe is trying to assert jurisdiction over them.

The bill authorizes the tribe to create and regulate environmental standards for all of Osage County. The Congress has scheduled a series of public hearings on the measure.

The Osage County Cattlemen's Association opposes the bill. The group says the tribe lacks jurisdiction over non-Indians in the county.

Even if the bill passes, the tribe needs to apply for treatment-as-state status from the Environmental Protection Agency. And due to a rider authored by Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma), the tribe has to get approval from the state.

Separately, the tribe has to resolve whether its reservation still exists. The National Indian Gaming Commission says it does but an EPA spokesperson said the agency isn't sure.

Get the Story:
Plan would let Osage set county's standards (The Oklahoman 5/30)
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Osage tribal bill worries county ranchers' group (The Tulsa World 5/29)

$rl Osage Nation - http://www.osagetribe.com

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