[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 119 (Tuesday, September 14, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S10852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BENNETT:
  S. 1581. A bill to amend the Strom Thurmond National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to provide for the retention and 
administration of Oil Shale Reserve Numbered 2 by the Secretary of 
Energy; to the Committee on Armed Services.


                  ute economic opportunity act of 1999

  Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the ``Ute 
Economic Opportunity Act of 1999.'' This bill was introduced in the 
House of Representatives on September 9, 1999 by Representative Cannon. 
Currently, the Department of Energy administers the Naval Oil Shale 
Reserve Numbered 2, which is located in northeastern Utah. A portion of 
the Oil Shale Reserve exists on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, which 
belongs to the Ute Indian Tribe. There have been several discussions 
that contemplate the transfer of the lands of the Oil Shale Reserve to 
the Bureau of Land Management. Due to the religious and historical 
significance of certain lands and the presence of wild horses and 
burros, the Ute Tribe is concerned that any transfer may infringe on 
their tribal rights and deviate from the current management direction.
  This bill would continue the Department of Energy's administration of 
the Oil Shale Reserve, and also provide a significant opportunity for 
economic development to the Ute Tribe. The bill requires the Department 
of Energy to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Ute Tribe to 
develop a long-term plan to manage, develop, and administer the Oil 
Shale Reserve. Further, 180 days after enactment of this bill, the Ute 
Tribe will enter into an oil and gas lease with the Department of 
Energy to develop the hydrocarbon resources present in the Oil Shale 
Reserve. It should be noted that the Ute Tribe has a history of 
responsible stewardship over the development of one of the largest oil 
and gas fields in Utah. I fully anticipate that the leasing process 
will go forward in an environmentally responsible manner. I expect 
nothing less from the Department and the Tribe.
  Through the management and utilization of these resources, the Ute 
Tribe will have an opportunity to develop high quality, high paying 
jobs that are sorely needed on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation while 
sustainably managing the land.
  The Ute Economic Opportunity Act of 1999 is an important piece of 
legislation that will allow the Ute Tribe to pursue economic 
independence.

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