Active Management on the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe’s Forestlands. PHOTO CREDIT: TIM VREDENBURG
forest lands. Consequentially, in modern contexts, the relevance of ‘forestry programs of the BIA’ now comes into question for tribes utilizing the ITARA authority. The BIA, as a technical service provider, could support tribes in implementing a more efficient and less costly management program that meets all environmental performance standards. Measuring the level of prosperity, which in this context can be briefly defined as the extent to
which tribal forestry programs are growing, providing services, maintaining healthy ecosystems, and acquiring more lands, may serve as some indirect indication that minimum standards are being met. However, success in Indian Country could also occur despite not receiving adequate support from the BIA. In fact, tribes are inherently adaptable and bring creativity and innovation in situations when basic needs are not met. Therefore, the increase in prosperity could also reflect
decades of limited support from the BIA. It is difficult to quantify the root of prosperity however, IFMAT took special consideration into analyzing the extent to which tribal forestry programs are succeeding and growing in scale, scope, and impact. The following Findings and Recommendations have been grouped around (1) funding, (2) directives, (3) procedures, (4) program, and (5) assistance, and (6) ITARA.
“The forest is part of who we are and it is sacred. It is an extension of our body. It gives us prayers.” —IFMAT IV focus group participant
142 Assessment of Indian Forests and Forest Management in the United States
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