AI was utilized in the writing of this article.
Jimmy Dean
February 6 , 2024
In a decisive action addressing a growing concern over the misuse and disrespect of their land, the Ute Indian Tribe of Utah has terminated all nontribal hunting, fishing, and recreation permits on their lands. This move, announced by the tribe’s governing Business Committee in January 2024, comes as a response to repeated violations by nonmembers, including littering, unauthorized use of ATVs, and trespassing on restricted areas.
Chairman Julius T. Murray III highlighted the core issue as a disregard for tribal sovereignty and the rules governing the use of Ute lands. The Uintah and Ouray Reservation, sprawling over 4.5 million acres in northeastern Utah, has been subjected to what the tribe views as acts of lawlessness by outsiders. This has prompted a reevaluation of the tribe’s policy towards granting access to its lands for recreational purposes.
The tribe’s decision to suspend permits is a rare and significant measure intended to safeguard the integrity and sanctity of their lands. It underscores the importance of respecting tribal jurisdictions and the sovereignty of Native American lands, which are often overlooked or violated by those seeking to exploit these areas for personal recreation.