City Creek signs spark controversy
Signs posted by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in the City Creek trailhead area were meant to point out the land was owned by the tribes.
But the signs were ripped out and tossed to the ground this week.
The tribes said the signs were not intended to limit access.
In a statement, the city of Pocatello said it was the city’s understanding that the Bureau of Land Management is the owner of the City Creek Trailhead property.
The Bureau of Land Management said it is aware that signs were placed in the City Creek area asserting the Tribes’ ownership.
BLM said it was not involved in the placement of the signs.
The bureau said it received a relinquishment of certain lands, formerly a railroad right-of-way, in the City Creek area from the Union Pacific Railroad in 2014.
In any case, BLM said the area remains open to the public while further reviews get underway.
Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Chairman Blaine Edmo said the signage would not limit any access to the recreational users of the area.
In a news release, the tribes offered this explanation:
“The Fort Hall Reservation used to be much larger than it is today. It encompassed what is now the City of Pocatello. In 1888, before the City of Pocatello existed, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes granted a railroad right of way through the Fort Hall Reservation. The right of way included land in the City Creek area because it was a water supply for steam engines the railroad needed. A condition the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Congress, and the Railroad company agreed upon was that when the property was no longer used for a railroad purpose it would revert to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. In the early 1900’s steam engines were replaced with internal combustion engines, and the Railroad company stopped using the water supply easement. At that time the City Creek property legally reverted back to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes because it was no longer used for a railroad purpose.
In 2012, the Department of Interior informed the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, the Union Pacific Railroad, and the City of Pocatello in writing ownership of the area had already reverted to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. Since then, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes have allowed continued use of the area.”
In a statement, the city of Pocatello said Wednesday, “If it is determined that the land is owned by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, we look forward to working with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes to maintain one of the area’s gems and ensuring its continued enjoyment by East Idahoans for years to come.”
