Task G Findings and Recommendations
2 - Directives (continued)
G5 Finding
Recommendation Focus on accomplishment of tribal vision rather than delineate minimum standards for BIA. ■ P.L. 93-638 tribes should be the principal agent responsible for crafting, implementing, and monitoring a coordinated resource management plan congruent with its vision for forests and forest management. ■ For compact and contract tribes, instead of BIA manuals and handbooks, the FMP should be the principal document containing state-of-the-art standards to achieve the tribal vision and management goals and the fulfilment of the federal trust responsibility for Indian forests. ■ For self-governance compact tribes, the review and approval of the FMP and determination of the fulfillment of the Secretary’s trust responsibility by such standards should be in the context of the policy and principles of self-governance contained in 25 CFR 1000.4. In these instances, BIA review, approval and oversight needs to be accomplished through the lens of self-governance and not adherence to rules contained in BIA manuals and handbooks. ■ Develop a clear and efficient process to approve changes to a forest management plan to allow for rapid adjustments to current issues.
Minimum administrative and technical standards for funding and staffing are not being set in many circumstances. ■ Minimum standards are needed for proper implementation of programs. ■ In the development of Forest Management Plans, tribes establish a vision for forest management, set goals and describe standards for various management activities (e.g., AAC and cutting schedule, silvicultural practices, BMPs, etc.). ■ These requirements measure the extent to which practices qualify as state-of- the-art (SOTA) as determined by each tribe’s vision. ■ Tribes that are, or plan to be, under the ITARA authority need additional funding, staffing, and training to develop minimum standards and procedures that can be incorporated into the ITAMP document.
146 Assessment of Indian Forests and Forest Management in the United States
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