UP, Confederated Tribes sign MOU for Oregon projects

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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Union Pacific and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon have signed a master access agreement and a memorandum of understanding.

The master access agreement reestablishes Tribal member access to historic fishing and hunting grounds through the Meacham Canyon area for the Confederated Tribes. The memorandum of understanding formalizes the relationship between Union Pacific and the Confederated Tribes as the two entities work toward track projects Union Pacific will undertake on the rail line within the borders of the reservation.

Both agreements were signed at a special ceremony held at the Nixyaawii Governance Center on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Union Pacific Chief Executive Officer Jack Koraleski joined Board of Trustee Chair Les Minthorn and Secretary Kathryn Brigham from the Confederated Tribes for the ceremonial gathering. These two agreements represent the culmination of nearly two years of ongoing negotiations between Union Pacific and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

“The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation have been wonderful partners as we have worked through the details of these new agreements,” said Koraleski. “We have invested more than $1 billion in Oregon during the past 10 years and we will continue to improve the transportation infrastructure of the state as we move forward in our collaboration with the Confederated Tribes.”

 

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