Hello Sondra,
            Sorry I couldn't answer your message sooner, but the BBS has
had technical problems, and I didn't get your message until this
morning.
        We were discussing the storage of nuclear waste on the Goshute
reservation in Skull Valley, west of Salt lake, and you were  wondering
if the decision to do so was that of the Goshute Nation or just the
tribal leaders. I too, am wondering about that.
        The only fresh source of information I have on this (The Salt
Lake Tribune, Sunday, Oct 5th, 1997) has statements by Chief Leon Bear
and council member Rex Allen to the effect that "most" of the tribal
members are in favor of it.
        Here's a brief rundown of the information I have:
        Since 1989, Goshute tribal leaders in Utah have been discussing
storage of nuclear waste on their reservation as a means of economic
improvement for their 120 member tribe.
        Last December, Goshute tribal leaders signed a contract with
(PFS) Private Fuel Storage consortium to allow storage of radioactive
waste on their land in Skull Valley.
        Tribal leaders have not revealed the terms of this agreement,
but it is speculated that around $250 million is involved.
        Leon Bear, Chief of the Skull Valley Band, says that this will
benefit the entire 124 member Goshute Nation, and that "most" tribal
nmembers are in favor of it.
        In 1863, a treaty gave the Goshutes complete sovereignty over
180,000 acres of land in Skull Valley, 50 miles west of Salt Lake City.
This is their land to do with as they please, without consulting State
or county Governments.
        Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt, has appointed a committee to fight the
licensing process for this enterprise; and The Downwinders, a
radioactive watchdog group, expresses concern about bringing more
nuclear waste to Utah.
            Till next time,
                       Donald :)
--- GEcho/2 1.20/Pro
1:311/0)
---------------