MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) is helping remove unwanted and unsightly non-operational vehicles from properties on the Umatilla Indian Reservation (UIR).
Brian Fullen, Environmental Health & Safety specialist with CTUIR’s Planning Department, said his office is working with UIR residents who request vehicle removals, residents who need encouragement to have vehicles removed and the salvage companies removing the vehicles.
“We’ve had several sites with sometimes up to 50 cars removed,” Fullen said. “It doesn’t cost anything with the exception that recreational vehicles and motor homes can cost up to $50 a foot. There’s also a cost to send non-metal debris to the Tribal Environmental Recovery Facility for crushing. However, I have found some funding that has paid for those. The vehicles are all crushed and recycled in the end.”
He said in most cases the Environmental Health & Safety office cordially works with residents to remove the vehicles. However, in some instances warning letters were sent, and in others, citations were issued.
According to CTUIR code, Environmental Health & Safety is authorized to remove non-operational vehicles from the UIR, including any vehicle posing a health or safety risk to the community.
The code states a property owner with more than one non-operational vehicle shall arrange for the sale of all excess vehicles, placement of the vehicles in a closed garage or transportation of them to a licensed auto-wrecking yard. If the owner doesn’t follow the code, Environmental Health & Safety officers have the authority to obtain titles for the vehicles to either sell or remove them from the UIR at the owner’s expense.
If an owner can’t be located or doesn’t surrender the title, officers can post a public notice stating the vehicles will be removed if the owner doesn’t respond within 30 days of publication.
Other parts of the code include:
- Owners who demonstrate financial hardship can petition the officer for assistance;
- Vehicles with current license plates, liability insurance and are otherwise fully operational and legal for public highways are not considered abandoned;
- Vehicles not designed for highway use are not considered abandoned if they can start and operate as intended in their designs, including modifications that do not result in an increased hazard to the operator, occupant, public or environment.
So far this year Environmental Health & Safety has removed approximately 250 vehicles and 60 RVs and camp trailers with help from Stubblefield Salvage Yard in Walla Walla and Doherty Recycling in Pilot Rock.
“Removing these non-operational vehicles significantly improves the visual appeal of the UIR, creating a cleaner and more welcoming environment for everyone,” Fullen said. “Beyond aesthetics, it’s a crucial step in protecting our environment and reducing potential hazards. By eliminating these vehicles, we also help control pest and rodent populations, which can impact the health and availability of our First Foods. This contributes to a healthier community and supports the preservation of our cultural traditions.”
For information, call 541-276-3099 or email planning@ctuir.org.
