Findings and Recommendations Task B Findings and Recommendations
B8 Finding
Recommendation Strengthen BIA guidance for woodland planning and management and integration into the FMP. ■ Integrate woodland management and fire management plans into the forest management plan to ensure all treatments are incorporated into projects (see Task F). ■ Ensure funding for woodland management is adequate to maintain the stewardship of tribal woodlands (see Task A). Recommendation Increase BIA and tribal staffing and training to recognize, respond, propose, and execute forest pest projects. ■ Identify a program that will best suit the tribal forest health protection needs. One alternative is to have the BIA combine fire and forest health under one department of forest protection with year- round permanent positions (analogous to combined structural fire departments and EMS services). ■ Begin filling the positions identified at Regional and local levels to better manage the forest health protection programs. The NPS is a good model with their own dedicated forest health protection program. ■ Provide technical assistance for small tribal programs that may not have the capacity to develop projects. Recommendation Assure that tribes and the BIA are fully integrated into FHP program. ■ Ensure that all USFS-FHP call letters are received by tribal programs in a timely fashion. ■ Develop better communications between tribes and forest health specialists in their region. ■ Develop better processes and procedures for requesting USFS assistance on biological assessments. ■ Assist tribes in submitting applications for USFS-FHP funds as early as possible.
Woodlands are increasingly being treated for through various forest management activities; however, those goals are not well articulated, and funding is often done outside the BIA. ■ Treatments such as hazardous fuels reduction, range/forage improvement, fuelwood gathering, food security, and carbon sequestration are not being well coordinated into forest management activities. This can lead to inefficiencies in program implementation. ■ Funding for the woodland management program is not sustaining the needs of tribal woodland needs. Lack of forest insect, disease, and invasive plant positions in tribal and BIA programs does not allow for fully engaging in addressing these threats. ■ The 2019 BIA Funding and Position Analysis identified at least five additional forest health protection positions needed within Indian Forestry. ■ There is not a clear point of contact within the BIA national office to manage forest health protection issues.
B9 Finding
B10 Finding
The US Forest Service insect and disease suppression funding process is complex, and it is important for tribes to learn of this and other federal funding opportunities in a timely way. ■ All FHP funding processes are complex and needs to be better understood by tribal program managers. ■ Tribes need to better understand the opportunities available through the FHP program.
98 Assessment of Indian Forests and Forest Management in the United States
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