TASK H*: A recommendation of any reforms and increased funding levels necessary to bring Indian forest land management programs to a state-of-the-art condition. *Note: in IFMAT II, Task H was designated as Task I.
IFMAT I – 1993 II – 2003 III - 2013
Recommendation Implementation Status
Recommendations in Response to Task H Findings
Funding and Staffing
Provide adequate funding and staffing as described in Tasks A, B and C of IFMAT I. (Recommendation H3, page V-53) The most important federal investment opportunity is to fund Indian forestry, as a whole, in order to adequately discharge the federal trust responsibility and as a national and international example of integrated, locally based forest management. (Recommendation I1, page 89) Additional funding above the $119.6 million should be considered to remedy the federal policies that created forest allotments that fragment management of many Indian forests. (Recommendation I5, page 90) Increase Indian forestry funding by a minimum of $ 112.7 million per year. (Recommendation H2, page 195)
Efforts to achieve funding and staffing recommendations have been unsuccessful. IFMAT I, II, and III assessments have repeatedly documented significant under-funding of Indian forestry programs. IFMAT III data indicates Indian forestry (BIA) funded at $2.82/acre while National Forests are funded at $8.57/acre. There are fewer staff per acre in Indian forestry programs than is the case for federal, state, or private forest operations. Data compiled for IFMAT III indicate a need for a 65% increase in staff for Indian forestry programs and staffing shortages are getting worse compared to prior IFMATs.
I
II
II
III
Increase staffing by 792 professional and technical forestry positions. An education coordinator will also be needed to oversee education and professional training as envisioned by NIFRMA. (Recommendation H2, page 195)
III
Oversight
Reconfigure the relationship between the federal government and the tribes (see detailed recommendations under IFMAT I – Sections E and G). (Recommendation H1, page V-53) Implement the trust oversight recommendations of IFMAT I. (Recommendation I2, page 90) The trust oversight recommendations of both previous IFMATs should be further developed and implemented before the next IFMAT review. (Recommendation H1, page 195)
The passage of the ITARA legislation is a step towards improving the relationship.
I
This has not been implemented.
II
III
Self-Governance
Federal support for activities that enhance true tribal autonomy, as defined by Kalt, should be maintained and intensified. (Recommendation H1, page 87)
There has been very little federal support for enterprises and there needs to be a streamlining of federal policies to improve enterprise opportunities. ITARA (2016) provides tribes with authority to replace NEPA with a tribal environmental review process set forth in tribal law and tribal forestry regulations.
II
Self-governance tribes should be able to develop tribal NEPA procedures and associated code to replace BIA NEPA manuals and handbooks. (Recommendation H6, page 195)
III
Unfunded Mandates
A specific list of unfunded mandates should be drawn up and recommendations for their alleviation made and implemented. (Recommendation H7, page 196)
Not addressed in follow-up implementation.
III
Appendix v – IFMAT I-III Crosswalk Table of Recommendations A-55
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