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Union Pacific Railroad and Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Announce New Agreements

Master access agreement facilitates access to historic hunting and fishing grounds for the Confederated Tribes
Memorandum of understanding solidifies parameters for Union Pacific infrastructure projects within the reservation.

Mission, Ore., August 28, 2013 – Union Pacific Railroad and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation  today announced the completion of 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 today 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 Jack Koraleski, Union Pacific chief executive officer. "We have invested more than $1 billion in Oregon over the last ten years, and we will continue to improve the transportation infrastructure of the state as we move forward in our collaboration with the Confederated Tribes."

"We have been here since time immemorial practicing our culture, history and way of life," said Kathryn Brigham, CTUIR Board Secretary, who served as the lead negotiator for the Board. "These agreements further recognize our commitment to preserving our culture and our rights, while building stronger partnerships with our friends at Union Pacific."

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. From 2007-2012, Union Pacific invested $18 billion in its network and operations to support America's transportation infrastructure, including a record $3.7 billion in 2012. The railroad's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.

About the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is a union of three tribes: Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla. In 1855 the three tribes signed a treaty with the U.S. government, in which it ceded over 6.4 million acres to the United States while maintaining Tribal sovereignty to manage their land and natural resources in perpetuity. The reservation is over 273 square miles and home to nearly 3,000 Tribal members. In the treaty, the tribes reserved rights to fish, hunt, and gather foods and medicines within the ceded lands, which today is northeastern Oregon and southeastern Washington. Tribal members continue to exercise and protect these rights today.

Union Pacific media contact: Aaron Hunt, amhunt@up.com, 916-789-6019 or @aaronmhunt.
Confederated Tribes media contact: Chuck Sams, chucksams@ctuir.org or 541-429-7393

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