Category: Community

Southern Ute Air Quality Alert – Smoke Particulate Matter – Very Unheathly

The Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s Environmental Programs Division operates three air quality stations on the Reservation and maintains a website that provides real-time air pollutant and EPA Air Quality Index (AQI) health alerts from data collected at these stations. Smoke from wildfires can cause unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter (PM) in the air.

Particulate matter is continuously measured at the Ute 3 monitoring station near Bondad Hill and the Ute 1 monitoring station in Ignacio.

As of Friday 9/29/2023, 7:30am, the Ute 1 station is currently reading high PM concentrations with a corresponding AQI of Hazardous.  Everyone should avoid any outdoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should remain indoors. People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children are the groups most at risk.

To view the ambient monitoring program website, and for more information about how to understand the AQI forecast, follow the links below:

Southern Ute Indian Tribe Ambient Monitoring Program Website

 

EPA Air Quality Index Information Website

 

Wildfire Smoke Resources to Protect Your Health | US EPA

 

EPA Air Now Article – How Smoke From Fires Can Affect Your Health

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

EPD, Air Quality – 970.563.2244

 

Jacob Henry

Air Quality Technician

Environmental Programs Division

Southern Ute Indian Tribe

970-563-2296

jhenry@southernute-nsn.gov

 

For Immediate Release: Biden Administration Initiative Allocates Vital Resources to Address Legacy Pollution

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320

Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 22, 2023

Biden Administration Initiative Allocates Vital Resources to Address Legacy Pollution

Southern Ute Indian Reservation – The Department of the Interior has announced an initial allocation of nearly $40 million as part of President Biden’s “Investing in America” initiative. This substantial funding represents the first phase of a comprehensive effort to support Tribal communities in addressing abandoned oil and gas wells across Indian Country. The primary goals of this investment include advocating for Tribal land rights, promoting economic opportunities, addressing legacy pollution, and mitigating environmental hazards.

The Southern Ute Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with the Tribe’s Contracts and Grants Department, applied for a grant under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Section 40601 Orphaned Well Program from the Department of Interior. Their grant application was specifically tailored to secure funds for conducting technical and field investigations into legacy plugged and abandoned wells, ensuring their integrity and long-term environmental protection. Andy Wetherell, Energy Manager at the Southern Ute Department of Energy, said, “the team is appreciative of Tribal Council’s support and the collaboration with the Tribe’s Contracts and Grants Department to proactively manage the Tribe’s resources and ensure legacy issues related to energy development are managed appropriately.”

Chairman Melvin J. Baker expressed, “The Southern Ute Indian Tribe is honored to have been awarded this funding, which will serve as a valuable resource in furthering our commitment to a clean and sustainable future.” In recognition of their dedication and proactive efforts, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe has been granted $497,850. This financial support will enable the Tribe to play a pivotal role in the broader mission of addressing legacy pollution and enhancing the well-being of Tribal communities.

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Summer R. Begay

Communication Specialist | Tribal Council Affairs

Southern Ute Indian Tribe

P.O. Box 737 Ignacio, CO 81137

Office: 970-563-2313

Work Cell: 970-553-0052

Follow the Tribal Council:

Facebook | @southernute

Twitter | @SUIT_Council

Instagram | @suit_tribalcouncil

LPCHS: Spay and Neuter Event – Ignacio

If you live in the 81137 area code and are looking to get your dog spayed or neutered, the LaPlata County Humane Society is coming to Ignacio! In order to confirm an appointment, you must fill out a form and put down your interest in the 81137 clinic. Once your form is received, our team will call for payment to reserve your appointment.

Prices are as follows:

Canine
Neuter – $120
Spay – $150

You must have an appointment to take part in the clinic, no exceptions.

To fill out the form visit: https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/dx6ctPdnW6ee

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the LaPlata County Human Society office at 970-259-2847.

Southern Ute Agriculture Produce Order

The Southern Ute Agriculture Division will be taking Produce Orders from the tribal membership. Please review your order forms before submitting. The agriculture office does not ACCEPT Credit Card payments.  Please submit payment in the form of EXACT cash payments or money orders or personal checks. The deadline for FINAL orders is September 26, 2023.
If you have any questions, please call 970.563.0220.
Thank you.
Agriculture Division

2023 Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s Health Fair

This year’s Southern Ute Health Fair is quickly approaching, and Southern Ute Health Services Division would love to see you participate in this event. Please find the event flyer as well as the vendor form attached below. Vendor admission is FREE, but we ask that you provide a raffle prize for contribution toward this event. Paperwork is due back to me no later than Friday, October 20th, 2023. Thank you for your interest in participation and we look forward to seeing many friendly faces there!

 

Toghoyaqh, 

 

Alyssa Seibel

Admin Assistant I

Community & Home Health Services

Office: 970-563-2348

Cell: 970-553-0118

First Descendant Cow Elk Hunt

The hunt is a limited-draw hunt held from December 1-31, 2023, on the Southern Ute Reservation.  There will be only ten permits allotted for this hunt.  Please see the attached flyer for additional information.

For More information and to find a link to the SUIT Store please visit the Website at:

First Descendant Antlerless Elk – Southern Ute Indian Tribe (southernute-nsn.gov)

Please call (970) 563-0130 for more information.

2023 Southern Ute Fall Clean-Up

SOUTHERN UTE FALL CLEAN UP HAS ARRIVED!  OCTOBER 16 through 20 ONLY! By Appointment Only.  No pickups over the weekend or the week after.

Fall Clean-Up is for Southern Ute Tribal Members, Tribal Departments, and tenants of the Southern Ute Indian Housing Authority. We will not pick up for non-tribal tenants living in Tribal Member owned rental homes. All pick-ups must be within the boundaries of the Southern Ute Indian Reservation only.

If you have questions related to your pick-up, please contact the responsible tribal department, tribal entity, or Mr. Tyson Thompson, Director of Property and Facilities at (970) 563-2945.

Southern Ute Property and Facilities

Tyson Thompson, Director

970-563-2945

2023 fall clean up flyer