Task G Findings and Recommendations
4 - Program
G10 Finding
Recommendation Streamline the process and timeline of converting fee land into trust land. ■ Work with Realty to develop procedures for immediate conversion to trust if desired by tribe. ■ Review the cruising standards for realty cruises to see if they align with other federal land purchases.
Land acquisitions result in lands being treated as fee lands instead of trust lands. ■ The process of taking fee land into trust can be lengthy and burdensome. ■ Tribes are acquiring substantial areas of forest lands in fee status and for some tribes there is little interest or incentive in having those lands taken into trust. ■ Tribes are finding that with fee lands the focus can be on tribal goals and increased flexibility without having to comply with burdensome federal requirements. Timber cruise accuracy of 5% for realty cruises is difficult to achieve. BIA has outdated resources, shows limited attention to requirements in NIFRMA and lacks basic information. ■ The BIA needs to improve their programs to provide current and accurate data across the agency. ■ Many BIA systems are outdated, and technology provided to BIA staff is lacking the software to manage programs and provide services to tribes. ■ Many systems that tribes have access to require extensive computer privileges (i.e., TAAMS). There is wide-spread, reluctant acceptance within tribes that all forest health backlogs will never be treated. ■ Backlogs in forest development, insect and disease eradication, and fuels reduction treatments are pervasive and have become tolerated.
G11 Finding
Recommendation Increase BIA knowledge regarding NIFRMA mandates. ■ Provide and require training on NIFRMA mandates for all BIA employees. ■ Provide advanced software programs and any appropriate training opportunities so that BIA employees can accomplish their assigned duties.
G12 Finding
Recommendation Establish a zero tolerance for Forest Health Backlogs. ■ At a minimum, tribal forests should be treated at a pace that keeps abreast of emerging forest health issues.
Task Findings and Recommendations 149
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