under ITARA, the FMP may be incorporated into the ITAMP approved by the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs (ASIA). As the transformation to direct tribal operations under P.L. 93-638 and ITARA continues to advance, including standards in the FMP is an appropriate approach. Such standards need to be defined by each tribe’s vision for its forest and designed to measure achievement of tribally established goals as well as fulfillment of the federal trust responsibility. The measure of how standards meet the criteria of state-of-the- art is determined by the tribally articulated vision for forest management. The health and resiliency of the forest and the degree to which management achieves tribal goals is the best determination of whether state-of-the-art management is occurring. Evaluation of Standards NIFRMA Task G focuses on evaluating if the BIA fulfillment of its trust responsibility to tribes can be measured and if it is feasible. In many ways this is a deeply philosophical question with critical impacts to tribal communities and the health and wellbeing of Indian people, not only today but into the future. Understanding the It’s in our songs. It’s our sanctuary and we want to preserve it.” —IFMAT IV focus group participant “The forest is our classroom.
Aspen stand on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation in south- central New Mexico. PHOTO CREDIT: SERRA HOAGLAND
feasibility and desirability of establishing minimum standards for the BIA in delivering their services to tribes can ultimately lead to improved services and relationships between the federal government and sovereign Indian nations. While standards should generally reflect the vision, goals and objectives of each individual tribe, it is clear that
minimum standards are feasible for the BIA to establish and are desirable. Minimum standards should include policy, operational and silvicultural needs such as reforestation, thinning, invasive species, facilities, and staffing. However, inadequate funding has consistently prevented tribes from meeting minimum standards and achieving their goals and vision.
Task Findings and Recommendations 139
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