The Ute Tribe of Utah will let its members vote on a controversial hatchery near a sacred site.

The tribe started work on the Springs Tribal Fish Hatchery 17 years ago. With the help of money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the project is nearly complete.

But tribal members are worried the hatchery will harm water from a spring that is used in ceremonies. They staged protests at the site and pushed tribal leaders to schedule the referendum.

If the tribe kills the project, it will probably have to repay the stimulus funds,Chairman Curtis Cesspooch said.

Get the Story:
Tribal vote planned on hatchery (The Vernal Express 6/2)

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