6.6 Native American Indian Lands
It is the intent of NCDOT to forge more efective and efcient working relationships through partnerships with agencies and organizations. NCDOT and its partners strive to serve as a national model for interagency partnerships for environmental stewardship and streamlin- ing. Information about programs and resources that support these priorities are described in Appendix M (page 1265). 6.6 Native American Indian Lands Native American Indian lands are not federal public lands or part of the public domain. Tey were retained by Indian tribes or were set aside for tribal use pursuant to treaties, statutes, judicial decisions, or executive orders or agreements. Tese lands are managed by the tribes in accordance with tribal goals and objectives, within the framework of applicable laws. Many locations have remained untouched by conventional land-use practices and therefore are islands of high-quality ecosystems, attracting many sensitive species (USFWS 2013). Te Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) is the only Native American tribe in North Carolina that is currently recognized by the federal government. Te EBCI’s primary lands are known as the Qualla Boundary and are located in western North Carolina. Te Qualla Boundary is not a reservation, but rather a land trust supervised by the US Bureau of Indian Afairs (BIA). EBCI also owns, holds, or maintains additional lands in the vicinity, and as far away as 100 miles from the Qualla Boundary. Present day EBCI lands and waters continue to support diverse wildlife communities. Tis biological diversity is intricately tied to Cherokee culture with thousands of species play- ing critical roles in subsistence, arts, medicine, ceremonies, and stories. Conserving fsh and wildlife populations and their interrelationships with the environment in a changing world is an integral part of maintaining Cherokee livelihood. Tribal programs responsi- ble for the management of fsh and wildlife resources include EBCI Fisheries and Wildlife Management, EBCI Ofce of Environment and Natural Resources, and EBCI Natural Resource Enforcement. Legal guidelines relating to fsheries and wildlife conservation include codifed EBCI hunting, fshing, and water quality protection ordinances, BIA Forest Management Plan regulations, and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Te EBCI works collaboratively with many external natural resource agencies to maximize conservation opportunities while maintaining sovereign interests. EBCI wildlife management actions are focused on species of greatest conservation need and species of signifcant cultural importance. Tese include, but are not limited to, migra- tory and game birds, fshes, rare small mammals, and large game mammals. Conservation strategies include habitat enhancement and protection, inventory and monitoring, native species restoration, and outreach. Comprehensive planning and implementation eforts are documented in the Tribal Wildlife Action Plan (unpublished).
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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