A vision that has been researched and refined will soon be reality. A chance to celebrate that reality will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at the Ute Plaza Supermarket and Health Food Store and Ute Lanes, when a grand re-opening will take place at both facilities.
Most of the activity will happen at plaza at the supermarket, with some activity also at the bowling alley and family fun center.
There will be an official ceremony starting at the market at 3 p.m., and at 6 p.m. live entertainment will begin with Dennis Yazzie and the Night Breeze Band from Thoreau, N.M.
It's an exciting milestone for Valentina Sireech, sales and marketing director for Ute Tribal Enterprises LLC, one of the driving forces behind the Ute Crossing revitalization efforts. Uintah Basin Standard Online
Showing posts with label Native American. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Native American. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Friday, July 6, 2012
Natural gas processor to pay $3.54M over tribal land pollution
A gas processing company will modify or close some operations on historic tribal land, pay a civil penalty of $3.65 million and give a tribal trust fund $350,000 to settle a lawsuit filed four years ago.
The legal action had alleged QEP Field Services Co. failed to control hazardous air pollution at facilities in the Uintah Basin.
The company denied allegations raised in the lawsuit, but agreed to a consent decree entered in federal court Tuesday after "vigorous" settlement negotiations and to "avoid further costs and uncertainty of litigation." Salt Lake Tribune
The legal action had alleged QEP Field Services Co. failed to control hazardous air pollution at facilities in the Uintah Basin.
The company denied allegations raised in the lawsuit, but agreed to a consent decree entered in federal court Tuesday after "vigorous" settlement negotiations and to "avoid further costs and uncertainty of litigation." Salt Lake Tribune
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Donation aims to fund education goals for generations to come
A large donation means that generations of Duchesne County residents have the ability to pursue their higher-education dreams, Utah State University – Uintah Basin officials said.
The Huish Family Foundation recently gave $150,000 for the Robert D. and Areva L. Huish Scholarship. The foundation also donated proceeds from stock dividends into the scholarship account.
What that means is a perpetual fund will provide scholarship help for generations of students to come who are pursuing an education or nursing degree.
The scholarship is for students attending USU-Uintah Basin who are Duchesne County residents. Preference is given females and Ute Tribe members who are in need of financial assistance.
“We can't say enough about how much that benefits our students,” said Bob Peterson, director of student services for USU-Uintah Basin. “The Huishes are one great example of local donations helping local students stay here in the Basin.” Uintah Basin Standard
Friday, April 20, 2012
Newfield makes donation to UBATC
Growing up on the Uintah-Ouray reservation, Lelylah Longhair vowed to make a good life for herself. Energy-related courses offered at the Uintah Basin Applied Technology College have helped the Ute Tribal member do just that.
Now, thanks to a $250,000 donation from Newfield Exploration Company, many more Uintah Basin residents will get that same opportunity.
Daryll Howard, vice president of Newfield's Rocky Mountain division, and Reed Durfey, district manager for the company's Uintah Basin operations, were on hand to present the check to UBATC's President Mark Walker at a Thursday ceremony.
For Newfield, the donation was not just pure philanthropy. They get something out of it as well, said Howard: A well-trained workforce ready to get to work in the Basin. “We see tremendous growth potential in the Uintah Basin,” Howard said. “We need a trained, educated workforce to participate in it with us.”
Durfey said the impact on the area's economy, and need for skilled workers, is obvious. Newfield currently has 460 employees working out of its Myton office. Utah's position as one of the leading energy producers is only going to expand, Howard said. Production has risen steadily since 2004, when Newfield began operations in the Basin. In 2011, production grew by 6.5 percent, he said. That's going to lead to a need for more trained workers, he said.
Walker said the donation would help the UBATC serve its students. “If it weren't for people like Newfield, we wouldn't be where we are today,” Walker said. “This is huge.” Walker said the UBATC can help educate area students to better themselves and their families' situation.
That rang true for Longhair. “UBATC has supplemented my knowledge of the oil and gas fields,” she said. “Living in the Basin, you only see bits and pieces. This program allowed me to see how complex it is. It educated me in a way I didn't think was possible.”
Longhair hopes to use her education to be an entrepreneur or executive in an oil and gas-related field, she said. For Walker, that's what the UBATC programs are all about. “So much of the Basin's employment is around oil and gas,” he said. “We want to train our own people to do these jobs.” Uintah Basin Standard
Daryll Howard, vice president of Newfield's Rocky Mountain division, and Reed Durfey, district manager for the company's Uintah Basin operations, were on hand to present the check to UBATC's President Mark Walker at a Thursday ceremony.
For Newfield, the donation was not just pure philanthropy. They get something out of it as well, said Howard: A well-trained workforce ready to get to work in the Basin. “We see tremendous growth potential in the Uintah Basin,” Howard said. “We need a trained, educated workforce to participate in it with us.”
Durfey said the impact on the area's economy, and need for skilled workers, is obvious. Newfield currently has 460 employees working out of its Myton office. Utah's position as one of the leading energy producers is only going to expand, Howard said. Production has risen steadily since 2004, when Newfield began operations in the Basin. In 2011, production grew by 6.5 percent, he said. That's going to lead to a need for more trained workers, he said.
Walker said the donation would help the UBATC serve its students. “If it weren't for people like Newfield, we wouldn't be where we are today,” Walker said. “This is huge.” Walker said the UBATC can help educate area students to better themselves and their families' situation.
That rang true for Longhair. “UBATC has supplemented my knowledge of the oil and gas fields,” she said. “Living in the Basin, you only see bits and pieces. This program allowed me to see how complex it is. It educated me in a way I didn't think was possible.”
Longhair hopes to use her education to be an entrepreneur or executive in an oil and gas-related field, she said. For Walker, that's what the UBATC programs are all about. “So much of the Basin's employment is around oil and gas,” he said. “We want to train our own people to do these jobs.” Uintah Basin Standard
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Uintah Basin oil, gas drilling could be impacted by dispute between counties, Ute Tribe
A long-running dispute between tribal and non-tribal governments over criminal jurisdiction in the Uintah Basin is threatening to throw a wrench into a valuable part of Utah's economic engine.Leaders of the Ute Indian Tribe, in a Jan. 30 letter to commissioners in Duchesne and Uintah counties, outlined their plan to begin reviewing all non-tribal business activity taking place on tribal land "to determine whether cause exists for the termination of … leases, business licenses, rights of ways and access permits."
Much of the oil and natural gas drilling in the Uintah Basin right now is taking place on tribal land. The state, the counties and the tribe all receive severance tax revenues from drilling on federally managed lands. Deseret News
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Ute tribe gets $1.4 million tech grant
Utah's Ute Indian tribe has received a $1.4 million federal stimulus grant to fund broadband service to the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. The award was among 35 grants totaling $482 million announced Monday by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. The funds are part of a $7 billion Recovery Act initiative to set up or expand access to broadband services.
In addition to the grant, the tribe secured an additional $640,000 in matching funds.
A commerce department news release states the tribe will use the funding to improve broadband access to about 40 reservation community institutions. The expanded service will allow for enhanced distance learning, telehealth services and will have public safety uses. Associated Press
In addition to the grant, the tribe secured an additional $640,000 in matching funds.
A commerce department news release states the tribe will use the funding to improve broadband access to about 40 reservation community institutions. The expanded service will allow for enhanced distance learning, telehealth services and will have public safety uses. Associated Press
Monday, July 19, 2010
Ute Tribe, Questar trade legal blows
A federal judge may have told construction crews they could go back to work, but attorneys for both the Ute Indian Tribe and Questar Gas Management aren't finished fighting over the Stagecoach natural gas processing plant. Attorneys for the tribe said Monday that they plan to ask two federal agencies to address “outrageous conduct” by QGM with regard to the company's alleged failure to secure the proper permits for construction of the Stagecoach plant expansion.
Work on the plant, which was shutdown late last month by tribal authorities, has resumed thanks to a federal injunction against the tribe that was issued July 1. But in court papers filed Monday, attorneys for QGM claim the tribe has failed to comply with the judge's order.
“(The tribe) has told QGM contractors and subcontractors not to come to the Iron Horse site, has ordered them to leave the site, and has threatened them with fines, trespassing citations and vehicle impoundment if they enter the reservation without 'access permits,'” George Haley, an attorney for QGM wrote before requesting that the tribe be held in contempt of court for its alleged actions. Alvina Lee, an attorney for the tribe, said the dispute with QGM occurred because the company failed to follow proper procedures when applying for right-of-way access and failed to notify the tribe of the activity it was going to undertake on tribal lands. QGM also did not acquire the necessary air permits from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its work on the Stagecoach plant expansion, Lee said. Uintah Basin Standard
Work on the plant, which was shutdown late last month by tribal authorities, has resumed thanks to a federal injunction against the tribe that was issued July 1. But in court papers filed Monday, attorneys for QGM claim the tribe has failed to comply with the judge's order.
“(The tribe) has told QGM contractors and subcontractors not to come to the Iron Horse site, has ordered them to leave the site, and has threatened them with fines, trespassing citations and vehicle impoundment if they enter the reservation without 'access permits,'” George Haley, an attorney for QGM wrote before requesting that the tribe be held in contempt of court for its alleged actions. Alvina Lee, an attorney for the tribe, said the dispute with QGM occurred because the company failed to follow proper procedures when applying for right-of-way access and failed to notify the tribe of the activity it was going to undertake on tribal lands. QGM also did not acquire the necessary air permits from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its work on the Stagecoach plant expansion, Lee said. Uintah Basin Standard
Monday, June 7, 2010
Tribe vote planned on hatchery
Ute tribal leaders are moving forward with plans to hold a referendum to let their membership decide whether to rescind the resolution that approved construction of the controversial Big Springs Fish Hatchery. The resolution was passed 16 months ago by five of the six members on the tribe’s governing Business Committee. Its purpose is to protect the area for historical religious rites — the water from the springs is used in the sacred Sundance ceremony. It officially designates boundaries and specific sites in the Big Springs area as sacred and protected “continually and perpetually … against development except to enhance the ecosystem, beauty and sacred use of the area.”
However, those opposed to the federal hatchery project at Big Springs maintain that it has crippled access to and use of the sacred waters. A decision by voters to rescind the Business Committee’s resolution could spell the end of the hatchery project which is close to 90 percent complete. Should that happen, it is likely the tribe will have to repay the federal government for the construction costs, said Business Committee Chairman Curtis Cesspooch. “I am pretty sure we will have to repay all the government money, we will have to repay the contractors,” Cesspooch said. There is an additional impact that tribal members need to be aware of as well, he said. “If we do go back on the contract that is going to give us a black eye and that will put us in jeopardy in our other departments for receiving the (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) stimulus money,” Cesspooch said. The tribe has invested $1.7 million of its own money in the hatchery which would be lost as well, he said. Vernal Express
However, those opposed to the federal hatchery project at Big Springs maintain that it has crippled access to and use of the sacred waters. A decision by voters to rescind the Business Committee’s resolution could spell the end of the hatchery project which is close to 90 percent complete. Should that happen, it is likely the tribe will have to repay the federal government for the construction costs, said Business Committee Chairman Curtis Cesspooch. “I am pretty sure we will have to repay all the government money, we will have to repay the contractors,” Cesspooch said. There is an additional impact that tribal members need to be aware of as well, he said. “If we do go back on the contract that is going to give us a black eye and that will put us in jeopardy in our other departments for receiving the (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) stimulus money,” Cesspooch said. The tribe has invested $1.7 million of its own money in the hatchery which would be lost as well, he said. Vernal Express
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Tribe to get busy with businesses
The Ute Tribe is utilizing stimulus money, federal grants and their own funds to accomplish an ambitious slew of economic development projects — including new plans for the former Bottle Hollow resort site, reopening former business ventures and beginning new ones.
The tribe has immediate plans to redesign, re-engineer and reopen their water bottling plant with the latest technology and equipment the market has to offer, said Ute Tribe Business Committee Chairman Curtis Cesspooch.
Technology is another enterprise where the tribe plans to provide new jobs. Ute Technology, a spinoff of Uintah River Technology, will primarily focus on oil and gas development working in conjunction with the Bureau of Land Management, seeking software and government procurement contracts, as well as human health service and military contracts, according to Ute Tribe's enterprise CEO, Ariwite.
A cultural museum focusing on the history of the Northern Ute Tribe is an important part of the plans centering around the revitalization of Bottle Hollow, said Cesspooch. A cultural museum has been seen as ideal for the site for over two decades now. Uintah Basin Standard
The tribe has immediate plans to redesign, re-engineer and reopen their water bottling plant with the latest technology and equipment the market has to offer, said Ute Tribe Business Committee Chairman Curtis Cesspooch.
Technology is another enterprise where the tribe plans to provide new jobs. Ute Technology, a spinoff of Uintah River Technology, will primarily focus on oil and gas development working in conjunction with the Bureau of Land Management, seeking software and government procurement contracts, as well as human health service and military contracts, according to Ute Tribe's enterprise CEO, Ariwite.
A cultural museum focusing on the history of the Northern Ute Tribe is an important part of the plans centering around the revitalization of Bottle Hollow, said Cesspooch. A cultural museum has been seen as ideal for the site for over two decades now. Uintah Basin Standard
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