The Daily Caller gives us an update to a story first covered by Haylie Shipp here at Northern Broadcasting.
From The DC: EPA overrides Congress, hands over town to Indian tribes
Have you heard the story of the residents of Riverton, Wyo.? One day they were Wyomingans, the next they were members of the Wind River tribes — after the Environmental Protection Agency declared the town part of the Wind River Indian Reservation, undoing a 1905 law passed by Congress and angering state officials.
The surprise decision was made by officials of the EPA, the Department of Interior, and Department of Justice early last month, and has invoked the ire of Gov. Matt Mead, who has vowed not to honor the agency’s decision and is preparing to fight in court.
The worry by state officials is that turning Riverton, a town of over 10,000 people, over to the tribes will come with a slew of tax and law enforcement complications. Since Riverton is now part of the Wind River reservation, it is technically no longer eligible for state services and no longer falls under local law enforcement. Mead, however, has ordered that state agencies conduct “business as usual” in regards to Riverton, meaning state services, law enforcement and regulations will continue.
Haylie Shipp first had the story for us here at Northern Broadcasting featuring a news release from the Office of Wyoming Governor Matt Mead:
“I understand that the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone Tribes have a different opinion about the Wind River Reservation Boundary. My deep concern is about an administrative agency of the federal government altering a state’s boundary and going against over 100 years of history and law. This should be a concern to all citizens because, if the EPA can unilaterally take land away from a state, where will it stop?” Governor Matt Mead said. “I want to thank the Attorney General and his staff for acting with urgency and preparing a thorough review of the historical record. This analysis shows how flawed the EPA was in its legal justification for its decision. The federal government clearly had a predetermined outcome it sought to uphold.”
The Attorney General’s petition shows that, in conjunction with the Tribes, Congress diminished the Wind River Reservation in 1905. Given the fundamentally flawed process and decision and the likelihood of irreparable harm, the EPA should put a hold on its decision and reopen its process to incorporate all of the available evidence, give interested parties an opportunity to respond to the facts and arguments and complete its review in a transparent manner.Click here for more from Haylie.
Comments
EA Johnson
Thursday, January 09, 2014 6:50 PM
Under what authority does the EPA so this. In my view they are far out of charter. Maybe it’s time we consider doing away with the EPA. What good have they done us since the ’70s? They have been an impediment to growth and wealth creation in America and nothing more than a political front for the repressive left.
Al Smith
Thursday, January 09, 2014 7:35 PM
Another prime example of the Obama administration running amok.
J. C. Kantorowicz – Great Falls
Friday, January 10, 2014 6:17 AM
Regardless of political party, bureaucrats run the show……. Too many years of liberal leaning administrations (including Bush), labor union influence, the appointment of liberal judges and APATHY on the part of those Americans allowed to vote, but who do not…… have brought us to this point in history.
It is foolish for the state of Wyoming to believe it can go to court and sue its way out of this. In the court of public opinion, the news media, this case will not be tried to a successful conclusion. Waiting for the next election to “throw the bums” out of office will not work either!
Sadly, the time has come to ABOLISH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT…… We must re-establish our CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC…… And it is going to take the Second Amendment to accomplish that task!
David Passieri
Friday, January 10, 2014 7:33 AM
Good Luck EPA…. Your days are numbered, your politics of divide and conquer are recognized, and your federal mandate to create a super citizenship through the tribal nations as your latest and greatest way to further the dreams of federal jurisdiction to the detriment of state jurisdiction will not be tolerated. The citizens will rise to further expose your corruption. May truth and transparency prevail. May the tribal nations finally be free of your welfare control. We are told that intent is 9/10’s of the law. I have news, your case will go down in flames, but only if the citizens, both tribal and non tribal, stick together and not allow the proponents to divide the opponents. In addition, this must be fought in the courts, the arena of covert war fare. I say war fare because this is a matter of life and death. This cannot stand. Maybe a new organization should come together…APA…American Protection Agency. And this organization will work toward truth and transparency and work toward a grass roots of building from the local level, one town, city, county at a time with the ultimate endeavor to minimize the federal stranglehold backed by corporate corruption. And work to eliminate the Bureau of Land Management and all federal jurisdiction over state lands. All of this is my opinion and directive. Thank you EPA, a federal agency, for continuing your failing arrogance to expect the citizens to remain trusting of your genocidal directives. How about going after the affect of genetically modified foods, created by Monsanto. Oh yea, they are big donors with their lobbyists and to special interest groups…. What special interest group is behind this. Wyoming has been exemplary in their past, in fighting for truth, justice and the American way. I support the Governor of Wyoming and in the complete dismantling, through legal actions, of the EPA and all federal agencies that feel that have sovereignty over the states and their citizens. God Bless America!
Friday, January 10, 2014 6:24 PM
The EPA was created by Pres. Nixon with an executive order , it can be eliminated by the next Republican President, if he has the balls.