A view of the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. Photo from JGHowes / Wikipedia
The Eastern Shoshone Tribe and the Northern Arapaho Tribe are facing a major challenge to their sovereignty and the boundaries of their shared reservation. In December 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency approved treatment as state applications for both tribes. The decision was controversial because it included about 171,000 acres that the state of Wyoming claims is no longer a part of the reservation. Wyoming is now suing the EPA to overturn the decision. The case is before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and it has drawn the attention of 10 other states. “It’s a big deal for the Wind River tribes and for Wyoming because jurisdiction is what sovereign governments are all about,” University of Wyoming law professor Debra Donahue told High Country News. “It’s important for the tribes just as an affirmation that the lands are still within the reservation and they are the primary sovereigns within that territory.” Turtle Talk has posted documents from the dispute, Wyoming v. EPA. Get the Story:
Leaps and boundaries for Wyoming tribes (High Country News 1/20)
10 states say EPA tribal boundary ruling needs full review (AP 1/7)
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