Task G Findings and Recommendations
2 - Directives (continued)
G4 Finding
Recommendation Streamline the BIA decision processes for direct services tribes. ■ Set a 60-day timeline for BIA to complete its federally required actions so that tribes can be more successful in achieving their goals. ■ Require all other federal agencies such as NMFS and/or USFWS to respond in a timely manner. ■ Update BIA manuals and handbooks to acknowledge and clarify that procedures in the directive only apply to direct service tribes. ■ Encourage contract and compact tribes to create their own guidance documents that better serve their visions and goals. If the BIA handbooks and manuals are useful to P.L. 93-638, the guidance can be optionally used.
Direct service tribes find that complying with directives in BIA handbooks and manuals hinders the ability to accomplish tribal goals. ■ Following the BIA approval processes causes delays that reduce the tribe’s ability to respond to issues such as critical program changes or market peaks, thus missing the opportunity to benefit. ■ Inappropriate application of BIA requirements is needlessly impacting P.L. 93-638 contract and compact tribes.
Mount Taylor in northern New Mexico is very significant to tribes in the southwestern US and its forests provide numerous benefits to tribal communities by providing habitat to culturally relevant species and water resources for the adjacent communities. PHOTO CREDIT: SERRA HOAGLAND
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