EPA ruling sets up battle over Indian country boundaries in Wyoming

An EPA ruling on air quality defines the borders of a Wyoming Indian Reservation to include the town of Riverton.

Storified by AJAMStream· Fri, Jan 10 2014 15:14:21

Official map of the Wind River Reservation Boundaries prior to the EPA's ruling:

county10.com

The decision on boundaries was met with enthusiasm online from indigenous rights activists:

The Wind River Reservation getting this land back is big time. Like, huge. Wyoming and the town of Riverton are having meltdowns, I <3 it.Lauren Chief Elk

Some Riverton residents, however, expressed concern with the ruling. If the border decision is enforced, it could have significant implications for Riverton residents in terms of receiving state and federal services.

I am a Home owner in Riverton,Wyoming I am very concerned with what Iam hearing about the Government giving back our town to the reservationAlan

Many are concerned that the absorption of the town into Indian country will lead to jurisdictional battles over taxes, law enforcement and resources such as water. Representatives of the tribes living in Wind River Reservation sent a letter to the mayor of Riverton, urging cooperation and dialogue over jurisdictional disputes.

overturning court and legislation on an issue such as boundaries sets a dangerous precedent. Governor Matt Mead threatened to not enforce the EPA ruling and wrote to Attorney General Eric Holder Wyoming elected officials criticized the ruling, saying that a regulatory agencyon an issue such as boundaries sets a dangerous precedent. Governor Matt Mead threatened to not enforce the EPA ruling and wrote to Attorney General Eric Holder asking him to initiate a federal appeal process.

In a statement, Gov. Mead warned that the involvement of the EPA has implications for states' rights.

“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?”rackemupblog.com



Many Wyoming residents on both sides of the issue agree that the EPA's ruling has started a process that will bring clarity to the status of Riverton. Speaking to the Billings Gazette, a lobbyist for the Northern Arapaho tribe said, "At the end of the day state lawyers acknowledge that this determination is a federal question and must be determined to a final point in the federal courts. That’s what this EPA decision will allow all parties to do.” Tribe members say the Wyoming state government has changed its tune on whether the decision on boundaries should come from the federal government based on the result.

Do you think the boundaries of Wind River Reservation should be revised to include Riverton? Should the EPA be able to make that decision? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.