economic development – Page 55

Bakken Boom Satellite Maps

July 25, 2013Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

Amazing material. Thanks to Drs. Braun and Reed at the University of North Dakota.

Since late 2011, Dr. Sebastian Braun (American Indian Studies) and Dr. Ann Reed (Anthropology) have been working on a project to investigate the social impacts of the Bakken oil boom in western North Dakota.

One of the best ways to visualize the impacts of the boom is through satellite images. Seen from the ground level, it is hard to imagine the overall impact on the landscape, the ecosystem, and the flora and fauna (including homo sapiens) that depend on it. Satellite images reveal the challenges, changes, and disruptions that are caused by access roads and well pads, as well as the booming support economy. This is especially true if viewed over time – in case of a boom, a short time.

Here are some examples of Satellite images from 2005, 2009, 2010, and 2012 of specific locations: Mandaree, New Town, and Watford City. We will add more images in the future.

These images reveal how the physical environment has been changed, and make it possible, perhaps, to imagine how the landscape might look like in the future.

Pending Indian Country Payday Lender Case — Brown v. Western Sky

July 23, 2013July 23, 2013Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

Here are the materials so far in Brown v. Western Sky Financial (M.D. N.C.):

ws — complaint filed, nc federal court

NC case — amended complaint — Western Sky

brown — brief re amend as filed

Western Sky Motion to Dismiss

brown — brief re dismiss — as filed

Western Sky Motion to Compel Arbitration

brown — brief re arb as filed

Federal Trade Commission Partially Settles Suit against Indian Country Payday Lenders

July 23, 2013Matthew L.M. Fletcher2 Comments

The case is Federal Trade Commission v. AMG Services (D. Nev.). Here are the most recent materials from the FTC website:

Order and Report and Recommendation Regarding Tribal Defenses [PDF-45 Pages]
Agreed Joint Motion to Enter Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Judgment [PDF-5 Pages]
Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Judgment [Proposed] [PDF-26 Pages]
News Release

News coverage here.

Briefs here:

FTC Motion for Partial Summary J

AMG Response

Brady Response

Tucker Defendants Response

FTC Reply

Tribal Lending and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

July 6, 2013July 2, 2013Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Hilary B. Miller has published “The Future of Tribal Lending under the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau” in the ABA trade journal Business Law Today.

Injunction Granted in Wells Fargo v. Chukchansi EDC (N.Y. Supreme Court) — UPDATED

July 3, 2013July 9, 2013Matthew L.M. Fletcher2 Comments

Materials here:

Chukchansi order part 1

Chukchansi order part 2

D.C. Circuit Affirms Injunction against Enforcement of PACT Act

June 28, 2013June 28, 2013Matthew L.M. Fletcher2 Comments

Here are the materials in Gordon v. Holder (opinion link & PDF):

Gordon Brief

DOJ Brief

Anti-Smoking Amici in Support of DOJ

Convenience Stores Amici in Support of DOJ

NYC Amicus in Support of DOJ

State Amici in Support of DOJ

DOJ Reply

Gordon Reply

Lower court materials here.

Corrected Opinion in City of New York v. Golden Feather

June 26, 2013Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

Here:

Corrected DCT Order

Prior post here.

Stipulation for Entry of Judgment in Olin v. Chukchansi Economic Development Authority

June 24, 2013June 24, 2013Kate Fort1 Comment

Here, settling a complaint against CEDA for breach of contract and wrongful termination.
Thanks to Marc Benjamin at the Fresno Bee.

Commentary from MF: This is a till-tap case, where a state court orders a sheriff to collect on a judgment by literally taking money from the till. Does anyone know if there has been a case like this involving tribes before?

RAND Report on Sole-Source 8(a) Native American Contracts

June 23, 2013June 22, 2013Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here.

The description:

Some participants in the federal 8(a) Business Development Program, including Alaska Native Corporations, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian Organizations, face no limit on the value of sole-source contracts they can receive. Concerns over the rising number of these contracts led to requirements for justification and approval of contracts above $20 million. This raised other concerns regarding the effects of the new requirements on Native American-owned firms and contracting personnel. The new federal requirement may delay the award of these contracts but have little impact on the number of such contracts awarded.